POPLARVILLE — Tipoff for the 2018-19 basketball season is hours away but that's not keeping the Pearl River Lady Wildcats basketball team from helping others in need. 

The Lady Wildcats traveled Monday to Hattiesburg to visit the Fieldhouse Homeless Shelter and spend some time with the residents. 

This has become a tradition for the Lady Wildcats, started when coach Scotty Fletcher took the helm of the program. 

"The Monday of game week when we open the season we make it a tradition to head up there and give back to the community," he said. "We like to be real big on servant leadership. 

"These are people that are not embarrassed or ashamed and they are very truthful about their situations and mistakes. I think it is so critical for this generation to see those examples so we can help these girls instill qualities and characteristics for not just basketball but life as well." 

Fletcher hopes the interactions will help to keep things in perspective for his players. 

"Every year we gain a new perspective from that community, so for us to go up there and be welcomed with open arms, I think that means a lot," Fletcher said. 
Two players who took a lot away from the experience were redshirt sophomore Elexis Peyton (Jackson; Provine) and freshman Kennedy Hudson (Purvis). 

This year was Peyton's third year helping the homeless. 

"It opens my eyes to see that even when I'm about to start the season, somebody else is going through something totally different," Peyton said. "It means a lot for me to be able to help people in those situations."

This was Hudson's first visit to the shelter.

"It touched my heart that we have a staff and team that gives back to others who are less fortunate," Hudson said. "I think it makes a difference on and off the court." 

PRCC's basketball teams will open the 2018-19 season Thursday with a home doubleheader against Delgado. The women will tip off at 5:30 p.m. All home games will be livestreamed on PRCCAthletics.com and can be heard on the WRJW Radio app.

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