It’s been a busy yet successful new year for the PCA Paladins as the post season closes in. The 18U boys have gone 4-2 since the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, including wins over the Scott County Flames, Meridian Flyers, Hattiesburg Forerunners, and a close game against the CHEF Patriots. Losses include games against Oak Forest Jackets [Amite City, LA] and Christian Collegiate Academy [CCA] Bulldogs [Gulfport, MS], both of which are highly ranked and predicted to go far in their state tournaments. That brings the 18U boys’ record to 21-3 overall.
18U girls are 4-1 starting this new year. They defeated the Meridian Flyers in a tight OT thriller 35-34 in their first game out of the break. They then took a tough loss to a very solid Oak Forest team but followed it up with three straight wins. The 18U girls are now 14-3 overall.
16U boys started the new year hot with a record of 4-0, defeating the Hattiesburg Forerunners, Oak Forest Jackets, CCA Bulldogs, and CHEF Patriots. 16U boys are looking to keep the momentum going into the post season. Their record overall is 14-2.
16U girls came out of the break with a record of 3-3, defeating Scott County, Meridian, and Hattiesburg, but losing to Oak Forest, CCA, and CHEF. Their record now is a solid 7-6 for the season.
14U boys have a conference record of 4-0, which includes wins over Laurel, Meridian, Scott County, and Hattiesburg. This young team looks to keep up the streak as they head to the end of the regular season. 14U girls have yet to play a game this season, but they look to compete well in upcoming tournaments.
The teams look forward to this weekend as they will participate in the annual Gulf Coast District Tournament in Monroe, LA, January 20-21. They hope to come out with five trophies including 18U boys, 16U boys and girls, and 14U boys and girls. The following week will be the teams’ last conference games against the Laurel Knighthawks in their home gym in Laurel, MS. A few days later, PCA looks forward to the annual MSAHA playoff tournament, held in Hattiesburg, MS. The next several weeks are busy and PCA’s expectations are high as they head to the end of the season and start major tournaments.