Matherne gets 100th career win as coach, OFA to Face MRA in second round tonight

OFA Head Coach Curtis Matherne.

By Jesse Brooks

Oak Forest Academy’s Curtis Matherne reached his 100th win career win as a head coach on Tuesday, February 20 as the boys basketball team defeated Jackson Prep 65-49 in the opening round of the MAIS AAAA Div. I State Tournament. Matherne is currently in his fifth year with the Yellow Jackets.

In the regular season, OFA was competitive with, but unable to defeat district opponent Jackson Prep, going 0-2 in a season series. However, last Tuesday the Jackets turned in arguably their best performance of the season to advance to the second round.

Four different Jacket players scored in double-figures as part of their most balanced attack of the season. Junior guard La’Vell Scott led OFA in scoring with 19 points, and sharp-shooting freshman Jaden Collura was second in command with 17 points. Senior forward Chris Backa,  who has shown a tremendous amount of improvement late in the season, provided 15 points, and senior point guard Janero Porter also contributed 13 points.

The Jackets will take on Madison-Ridgeland Academy tonight at 6 p.m. on the campus of Presbyterian Christian Academy in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. If OFA advances, they will compete in the championship round. Teams that lose in the second round will play a third place qualifying game. Both the championship and third place games will be held tomorrow at PCS.