BOGUE CHITTO – Thomastown rolled into Calhoun Gymnasium Tuesdaynight in the opening round of the South State 1A boys tournament.The Bulldogs put on a shooting clinic, to the tune of an 86-66victory over the homestanding Bobcats.

In other South State 1A boys action, Durant beat Salem 80-56,Scott Central eliminated West Lincoln 87-70, Union got by NatchezCathedral 62-44, Puckett beat Greenville St. Joe 81-54, South Leakesmashed MSD 93-57, Benoit Brooks defeated Mount Olive 78-67 andMcAdams passed Dexter 74-57.

Thomastown advances to the South State 1A boys tournamentquarterfinal round Thursday at 8:30 p.m. against McAdams, atMcAdams.

Bogue Chitto closes its season at 20-14.

The Bobcats, coached by Jason Kennedy, used an inside/outsidecombination of seniors Irrie Catchings (8) and Michael Blackwell(7) to carry a 17-16 lead into the second period.

Thomastown (15-13) began to heat up in the second 8 minutes.Jeffrey Huffman, Antwan Pankey and LeMarcus Clayton combined for 22points as the Bulldogs entertained a 10-point cushion, 36-26 athalftime.

“We have yet to put together a consistent 32-minute ballgame,”said Bulldog head coach Willie McMillan, who is in his second year.”Our bench did a good job.”

McMillan’s bench scored 54 points (63 percent) of the team’s 86points.

“We can shoot the ball better,” added McMillan.

The Bulldogs went oon a shooting spree in the second half,outdistancing the Bobcats 50-40. Bogue Chitto trailed 55-42entering the final stanza.

“Our kids never gave up,” said Kennedy who has completed hisinitial year at the helm of Bobcat basketball. “We could havefolded but the kids kept fighting. I love them all.”

Catchings, a 6-foot-3 senior, posted a team-high 18 points forBogue Chitto. Blackwell followed with 11 points and 6 rebounds.Daniel Howard pumped in 13 points. Rico Lewis had 4 steals and 5assists.

“They (Thomastown) shot the lights out tonight,” added Kennedy.”I am truly proud of the season that we have had.”

Kennedy will lose Blackwell, Catchings, Lewis, AnthonyStevenson, Aaron Gill, Drew Yawn and Nicholas Smith tograduation.

Huffman led the Bulldogs with 26 points and 3 assists off ofMcMillan’s bench. JoJuan Johnson and Pankey each had 7 rebounds.Tomya Robinson dished out 4 assists.

Thomastown made 23 turnovers, while Bogue Chitto committed 22.The Bulldogs outrebounded the Bobcats 45-26.