In a low scoring affair, Huntington defeated Riverdale Academy 40-30 Friday night in the Mississippi Private School Association Class A semifinals at University Christian School.

This was the fourth time this season these teams faced each other and the Hounds completed the season sweep.

“Every game this season has been like this,” Huntington head coach David Boydstun said.

The Hounds (32-3) got off to a slow start as they only scored six points in the first quarter and found themselves trailing 13-6 to the Rebels at the end period. But they would bounce back in the second quarter, by going on an 8-0 run to start off the quarter and regain the lead. The Hounds’ defense limited Riverdale (26-6) to just six points in the quarter and Huntington took a 22-19 lead into the locker room at the half.

“We knew they would slow it down, and we adjusted well,” Boydstun said.

Both teams got off to a slow start to begin the second half, and the Hounds continued to work on their lead by outscoring the Rebels 7-5 in the third quarter and taking a 29-24 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, the Hounds secured their spot in the big game by scoring 12 points in the final quarter, with the last seven points coming from the free throw line.

With the 40-30 victory, the Hounds advanced to face West Memphis Christian in the tournament finals.

Despite the game being a low-scoring match up that relied heavily on half court offense, Boydstrun said a game like this helped his team heading into the final because the slower pace lessened the players’ level of fatigue.

“Tonight was a very good team effort. We had good, balanced scoring and we worked hard on defense,” he said.

West Memphis Christian 65, Trinity Episcopal 42

After falling behind early, Trinity Episcopal could not recover from the multifacited offense of West Memphis Christian as the Saints fell 65-42 to the Knights in the MPSA semifinal game Friday night.

West Memphis (35-3) came right at the Saints in the first quarter and took a 20-8 lead. The Saints (16-12) countered in the second quarter and limited the Knights to 7 points, while their offense led by Stevan Ridley scored 14 points to cut the Knights lead to 5 at the half, as the Saints trailed 27-22.

But that was as close as the Saints would come as the Knights busted things open in the third quarter. West Memphis caused several turnovers and scored several buckets with their transition offense. After limiting Trinity’s offense to just four points, the Knights enjoyed a 46-26 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Despite Trinity’s best effort in the fourth, West Memphis cruised to a 65-42 victory and a match up with Huntington in the finals.

“West Memphis had so many athletes that kept coming at us,” Trinity head coach David King said. “We played hard and followed the game plan, but sometimes you have to accept that a team may be better than you.”

With the loss the Saints will take on Riverdale in the consolation game.

“The last five years in single A, we have been in the top four every year. Only Delta Academy can say that,” King said. “Once again we have exceeded expectations at Trinity.”