MONTGOMERY &045; The Sunshine Tigers knew what they were up against going into yesterday’s regional contest against the 2006 1A champions St. Jude Pirates. Sunshine stayed with St. Jude until a late fourth quarter run by the Pirates sealed its win.

Sunshine wasn’t intimidated by St. Jude at all. They match well with them except for the Pirates 6-8 forward JaMychal Green. The Tiger defense held the big junior to just eight points in the game.

Sunshine had a brief lead of 12-11 late in the first quarter, but the Pirates out scored the Tigers 8-2 the last two minutes to take a 19-14 first quarter lead.

Sunshine would continue to hold their own in the second quarter, as St Jude pulls away to a seven point lead after two quarters of play.

St Jude dropped in the first bucket of second half. The Tigers would fight its way back in the third with a press, grabbing the lead, but the Pirates would put on another spurt to go back on top to hold a 43-38 advantage after three quarters.

Green would pick up his fourth foul at the beginning of the fourth, giving the Tigers an opportunity to make a run. Sunshine full court pressure helped them to get within one. Junior Royce Hamilton would sink two free throws to give the Tigers a 47-46 advantage with four minutes.

St. Jude get two straight put backs to go back on top. They led 56-50 with two minutes left in the game. Sunshine could only manage one field goal the rest of the way.

Sophomore Darmekus Lewis led the Tigers with 15 points. Junior Justin Wagner, who fouled out in the fourth quarter, added 14. Junior Marcus Lee chipped in 12 points.