Marcus Green scored 32 points and Caleb Mills added 19 - including five 3-pointers - and the Vikings avenged their regular-season loss to the Patriots with an 80-61 win in the opening round of Division 2-4A playoffs on Tuesday.
"It's all about confidence," said Mills, a senior who has hit 19 3-pointers over the last four matches. "I've got confidence in my shot and that's really helped over these past few games."
Ben Shannon hit a pair of 3-pointers, and Mills and Green added two more as North raced to a 33-10 lead in the opening frame. After that, the Vikings capitalized inside.
"They came out and were on fire from outside, and that opened it up inside," said North Pontotoc coach Chris Pettit. "We hit some shots early and that opened their middle up pretty good."
North Pontotoc (19-10) led 48-25 at intermission and was never threatened in the second half as it avenged its 65-64 loss on Jan. 27 to the Desoto County school.
Green, a sophomore guard, netted 22 points in the first half.
Alex Arnold scored 24 for the Patriots (14-14).
"North Pontotoc put on a scoring clinic in the first quarter," said Lewisburg coach Adam Tipton. "(Green) was incredible, taking us off balance. He's a great athlete and competitor."
(G) Lafayette 65, Rosa Fort 44: The Lady Commodores (12-11) used a 20-0 first-half run to lead 39-17 at the break. Mariah Buford scored a game-high 27 points for Lafayette. Marnisha Smith led Rosa Fort (6-14) with 16.
(B) Senatobia 49, Lafayette 45: Cam Shorty led all scorers with 24 points and boosted a fourth-quarter rally for the Warriors (13-14). Brandon Mack logged 20 for the Commodores (2-13).
(G) Senatobia 43, Lewisburg 35: The Lady Warriors (13-14) were led by Tekevanna Young with 16 points.
Lakisha Kelly had a game-high 21 for the Lady Pats (1-26).





