STARKVILLE –The Columbus High School boys basketball team entered its game Saturday against Starkville with new uniforms, a new coach, and the state’s top ranking.
But Starkville still has the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state championship trophy in its case.
Playing its most complete game of the season, No. 4 Starkville proved it intends to defend that title by notching an 80-61 victory at the Bee Hive.
“I have been waiting to play in a game like this all of my life,” Starkville senior guard Darrius Wilson said. “We were so excited. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be a part of this. It’s a special win. When we make shots and guard like that, nobody can beat us.”
The emotional roller-coaster featured 13 first-half lead changes. It also featured about 500 fans not being allowed to enter the gym. Security personnel spent most of the night scrambling to lock extra doors and seal off extra entrances.
Every seat in the gym was filled by the second quarter of the Starkville girls’ 75-48 victory. The crowd was enthused and entertained.
“It’s one game a time, but we have had this one circled for quite some time,” Starkville senior guard Tyson Carter said. “We knew they were coming in at No. 1. We have been practicing for this night for quite some time. We weren’t going to let our big home crowd down.”
Tyson Carter won the head-to-head Dandy Dozen matchup with Columbus’ Robert Woodard II. Tyson Carter had 33 points, equally distributing between both halves. His rim-rattling dunk sent the crowd into hysteria in the final minute.
Woodard had 17 points. The Falcons (7-2) were plagued by numerous missed opportunities in the paint.
Wilson set the tone by hitting a pair of 3-pointers early. From there, Starkville (8-2) simply needed to find its defense.
“The first quarter was not the type of game we like to play (Columbus led 23-21 after one quarter),” Starkville coach Greg Carter said. “We lost our man too many times. After that, we settled down and played some really great defense. Our pressure was as good it has been all year. Down low, we were great.”
Columbus had a huge size advantage, but 6-foot-9 junior Jesse Little held his own underneath for the Yellow Jackets. Little had a stretch during the decisive third quarter where he blocked two shots, grabbed four defensive rebounds, scored on two putbacks, and drew a charge.
Little added 16 points, while Keith Harris (15) and Wilson (12) also scored in double figures.
“When we have offense like this, it’s special,” Starkville senior guard Keith Harris said. “Tyson is the best player on the team, so they are going to double-team and triple-team him. The other guards simply have to make shots. I am so happy we made them tonight. This was a big-time atmosphere and a big-time game. We simply wanted to prove that we belonged.”
Starkville surged ahead on a 7-0 run to start the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets broke a 28-28 tie to take the lead for good on four points from Carter.
After Columbus closed within 38-36 early in the third quarter, Starkville caught fire with a game-changing 16-6 run for a 54-42 lead. Harris hit a pair of long-range 3-point baskets to spark the run.
“The main thing is staying within ourselves,” Harris said. “We had to go find the defense because it wasn’t very good in the first quarter. The way the shots were falling, we knew we just needed to add a little defense to make this a great night.”
Javontae McDavid added 16 points for Columbus
In the opener, the Starkville girls improved to 8-0 with the victory.
Kelsey Jones led Starkville with 22 points, while Shannon Tate had 14, Jariyah Covington had 12, and Tabreea Gandy had 10.
Rokila Wallace had 17 to lead Columbus (5-3). Kayla Rogers had 14 points and 14 rebounds.
n Starkville sweeps SE Lauderdale: On Friday, the Jackets and Lady Jackets sweep Southeast Lauderdale.
The Starkville boys won 80-38. Wilson had 19 points, while Markedric Bell had 12 points. Little and Darrious Agnew each had 10 points.
The Starkville girls won 59-39. Tanita Thompson had 27 points, while Gandy had 10 points.
n Columbus sweeps Aberdeen: The Lady Falcons and Falcons swept Aberdeen at home Friday night.
The Columbus boys won 51-19 in a contest called at halftime.
The Columbus girls won 52-19. Wallace had 12 points.
n New Hope improves to 8-0: New Hope beat Noxubee County 71-46 in boys basketball action Friday night in Macon.
Terryonte Thomas had 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Carlos Brooks had 21 points for the Trojans.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.