The St. Patrick Fighting Irish basketball squad (Biloxi, MS), was nudged 50-47 in Saturday's non-league battle with the host Long Beach Bearcats (Long Beach, MS)

With the victory, Long Beach advances its record to 5-14 on the year. The Bearcats travel to Hancock (Kiln, MS) to meet the Hawks in a 6A Region 4 battle on Tuesday, January 7. The Hawks enter the battle with a record of 7-10.

The Fighting Irish now own a 6-12 record. They put it on the line next when they host Tylertown for a 3A Region 8 battle on Friday, January 3. St. Patrick will meet a Chiefs squad coming off a 50-35 non-league win over Amite County (Liberty, MS). The Chiefs record now stands at 1-8.