From Staff Reports
LEARNED — Hebron Christian is headed to the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Overall State Tournament.
The Lady Eagles finished third at the Class A State Tournament with a 62-48 win over Carroll Academy at Rebul Academy. In the semifinal round of the tournament Friday, Hebron Christian suffered a 55-38 loss to Claiborne Academy.
Hebron Christian will play either Tuesday or Wednesday at Mississippi College in its first game at the Overall State Tournament.
n Starkville Academy season ends: At Madison, the season is now over for the Starkville Academy girls’ basketball team after a fourth-place finish at the MAIS Class AAA State Tournament, hosted by Madison-Ridgeland Academy.
Starkville Academy dropped a 52-26 decision to Presbyterian Christian in Friday’s semifinal round and fell 51-39 to Jackson Academy Saturday in the third-place contest. The top three teams advance to this week’s Overall State Tournament.
In the loss to Jackson Academy, Nora Kathryn Carroll had 11 points, while Sallie Kate Richrdson had 10 points, six rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists. Anna McKell had nine points.
Against Presbyterian Christian, Richardson had 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists. McKell added seven points.
The Class AAA, Division II state champion Lady Volunteers finish the season 27-13.
n Starkville High falls twice: At Madison, the Starkville High basketball teams were swept in the championship round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s Class 6A, Region 3 Tournament.
The Starkville girls dropped a 60-53 decision to Northwest Rankin.
The Lady Cougars pulled away from a 14-14 tie with an 8-0 run, eventually building a 26-20 halftime lead. Starkville pulled even at 34 before falling down 40-36 at the end of the third quarter. A 7-0 Northwest Rankin in the fourth quarter proved decisive.
For Starkville (18-6), Blair Schaefer scored 28 points, while Imane Montgomery added 16 points.
After handing Madison Central two regular-season defeats, the Starkville boys could not make it three, falling 57-39 on Madison Central’s home court.
Madison Central actually held a 29-24 halftime lead before holding the Starkville offense to seven total field goals in the second half. Down 34-33, Starkville allowed a 23-6 run to end the contest.
For Starkville (23-4), Richard Evans led the way with 15 points.
Both Starkville squads begin the MHSAA Class 6A North State playoffs on the road, with the Lady Jackets traveling to Clinton Monday and the Yellow Jackets traveling to Greenville-Weston Tuesday.
n Noxubee County, Caledonia advance: At Carthage, Noxubee County knocked off Caledonia 60-58 in the boys’ third-place game of the MHSAA Class 4A, Region 4 Tournament at Leake Central.
On Thursday, Caledonia dropped a 62-42 decision to Leake Central. Caleb Brown led the Feds with 12 points, while Ben Marchbanks had seven points. Caledonia completes this tournament at 21-8 overall.
Both teams will play on the road Tuesday in the opening round of the MHSAA North State Class 4A playoffs. Noxubee County plays at Greenwood, while Caledonia plays at Gentry.
The Noxubee County girls will host Greenwood Monday night when the North State Class 4A girls’ playoffs begin. Noxubee County beat Leake Central 64-63 in the Region 4-4A championship.
n West Lowndes boys win title: At Noxapater, the West Lowndes boys won the MHSAA Class 1A, Region 5 championship with a 60-28 win over Noxapater Friday night. The Lady Panthers were not as fortunate, as the West Lowndes girls dropped a 39-35 decision to Noxapater in the championship game.
The West Lowndes girls host Monday and the West Lowndes boys host Tuesday when the South State Class 1A playoffs begin. The opponents for both were not determined at press time Saturday.
Also Friday night, the Aberdeen boys beat Kemper County 90-70 to win the MHSAA Class 4A, Region 3 Tournament at Louisville.
Aberdeen hosts Humphreys County in the North State Class 3A playoffs Tuesday night.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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