By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Item Sports Editor

Just over a year and a half ago they were driving forces on the same team, battling for a prep state championship.

Tonight, they face off as members of opposing squads on the collegiate level.

Former Picayune High standouts Brandon Fortenberry and Chris Dees will meet on the hardwood as starting players on opposite teams tonight, when Southeastern Louisiana University hosts Spring Hill College.

In addition, former Maroon Tide player Travis Aubin is a reserve for Spring Hill as well.

Fortenberry and Dees were the main two players on a Picayune High team that fell in overtime in the Class 4A State championship to New Hope. in 2008. Both players were named All-State afterwards, and Fortenberry inked with the SLU Lions and Dees signed with the Badgers of Spring Hill.

Tonight they will be on the same court again for the first time since coming up just short in the title tilt.

Dees has started all six games so far for the Badgers this year, and is averaging 11 points and six rebounds per game.

Fortenberry has started half of the Lions six games this season after starting almost every game his freshman season and is averaging nine points, three rebounds and three assists so far this year.

Dees and the Badgers are coming off a trip to Hattiesburg Saturday night in a loss to Southern Mississippi, as R.L. Horton scored all 19 of his points in the first half and Southern Mississippi defeated Spring Hill 90-57.

Southern Miss, 5-0 for the first time since the 2006-07 season, used an obvious size advantage and 38 points from its bench to beat its third NAIA opponent of the season and post its largest margin of victory of the season.

Horton’s 19 first-half points helped Southern Miss to a 51-28 halftime lead, which the Golden Eagles increased to a 32-point margin by the eight-minute mark in the second half.

The Golden Eagles outrebounded Spring Hill 49-26, with Gary Flowers grabbing 13 boards.