By GEORGE MAHL

RESERVE – On paper, it was supposed to be a hardcourt mismatch.

A Class 5A school like Gulfport (Miss.) High is supposed to beat a Class B school such as Reserve Christian. Not to mention GHS is the defending 5A basketball champs in Mississippi and last season posted an amazing 37-1 record.

But that is why games are played. The RCS Eagles got 34 points this week from freshman sensation Tweety Carter to elevate them to a 76-64 victory over the GHS Admirals before a standing-room-only crowd at the RCS gym, also known as “The Nest.”

“Because of their (GHS) ranking (26th in nation) and their great tradition, it was a big win for us,” said RCS head coach Timmy Byrd. “We might not have big players in terms of size, but we have players with big hearts.”

Leading 39-35 at halftime, the Eagles exchanged baskets throughout the third quarter with the visitors. GHS junior standout Henry Salter hit a basket with 3:38 left in the third to tie the game at 46. However, Carter came right back with a three-point play to give the Eagles a 49-46 lead with 3:25 left in the quarter.

“Tweety goes up three or four notches in big games like this,” Byrd said.

Gulfport’s Fred Wright made a free throw to tie the game 49-49. However, consecutive baskets courtesy of Carter and center Matt Jackson gave the Eagles a 53-49 advantage at the end of the third period.

It appeared as though Reserve Christian would break the game open at the start of the final period. With 6:57 remaining, Marlon Brumfield nailed a three-point shot to give the Eagles a 56-51 lead. Another clutch three-pointer from Chris McClain put RCS up 62-56 with about four minutes left in the ballgame.

Immediately after McClain’s shot, GHS Courtney Brown hit back-to-back three pointers to tie the game at 62. Down the stretch, the Eagles made free throws when they counted the most. Reserve Christian made seven out of 10 free throws during a crucial part of the game.

“I think we did well with our free throws but we’re not were I would like us to be,” commented Byrd.

A 7-0 run during the final 3:47 was enough to put the game away. Carter was responsible for four of the seven points.

“He (Carter) has got tremendous confidence and the heart of a lion,” Byrd said.

The Eagle’s leading scorers were Carter, Frankie Francois, who finished with 16 points, and Matt Jackson, who contributed 11.

“I thought we did OK defensively. Matt (Jackson) controlled the boards for us and we even altered five shots,” Byrd said.