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Putnam City

Pirates

BASKETBALL

Putnam City outlasts New Hope, 72-68

Playing in the opening round of the Rumble on the Ridge boys’ basketball tournament in Forrest City, Ark., on Thanksgiving evening, Putnam City managed a 72-68 win against New Hope, Miss.

Juniors Garen Wright and Xavier Henry led the Pirates with 18 and 17 points respectively.

New Hope featured four returning starters from last year’s runner-up team in the Class 4A Mississippi state championships. They had a record of 32-6.

New Hope, down by as many as 15 points, made a late run on Putnam City as they cut the lead to three points with 1:16 remaining in the game. The Trojans made a pair of free throws with 11 seconds left to cut the lead to two, 70-68.

Putnam City was finished with a strong performance from the free throw line as they were 12 for 15 in the final eight minutes.

New Hope was led in scoring by Dale Hughes’ 21 points.

Hughes won the three-point championship on Wednesday evening.

Putnam City will play the host team, Forrest City Mustangs, on Friday night in the tournament’s semifinals.