With Christmas decorations now half-price and everybody lining up New Year’s plans, it’s time to take a break and answer some of the more pressing questions from the area prep scene.
Do you have any thoughts on the first half of the area prep basketball scene?
This season, we appear very blessed.
Several teams should advance to Jackson with more than one having legitimate state championship aspirations.
Both the Columbus boys and Starkville boys have spent a stretch of time at No. 1 in the state by the Clarion-Ledger.
Starkville is the defending Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state champion. The Yellow Jackets are 11-1 at Christmas.
A year ago, Raphael Leonard took flight at this time and really made his team a legitimate state championship contender.
This season, playing that role could be Keith Harris or Darrius Wilson. Jesse Little’s play underneath has impressed.
Tyson Carter is special and the undisputed team leader. The Mississippi State commitment is dropping 20-plus on a regular basis.
However, to reach the summit again, it will take more than one excellent player. The Yellow Jackets are learning their roles and flying under the radar.
This could bode well in March.
The Columbus boys took Starkville’s place at No. 1 but could not back that ranking in an 80-61 head-to-head loss at Starkville.
The Falcons are really good.
Robert Woodard, III is arguably the state’s best sophomore. He is getting a huge lift from Aberdeen transfer Jartavius Dobbs.
Demetrice Clopton has things on lock down underneath. The Falcons have easily the most size in the state, regardless of classification.
If you are again looking for unsung hero, Javonte McDavid may be the one. Also look for a huge second half of the season from Christopher Deloach, who is now finding his comfort level after being a defensive superstar in football.
Much like Starkville with Greg Carter, Columbus coach Luther Riley knows a thing or two about state championships. However, Riley is still learning his new team.
In Class 5A, New Hope may be poised to make a run.
Junior Terryonte Thomas has more than 20 offers. Thomas is averaging right at a double-double with 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds through the team’s first eight games.
New Hope is 9-1 overall with the lone loss being a hard-fought decision to Columbus.
New Hope lacks legitimate size to be a state championship favorite. However, the Trojans make up for that with heart, determination and some offensive play-makers.
Carlos Brooks has been sensational through the first 10 games. Brooks will need to continue to help Thomas. Willie Ousley is the team’s best defensive player.
Jay Shinn and Heratio Jackson will hold the key to this team’s second-half success. While Thomas is worth the price of admission, more help will be needed down the stretch.
Coach Drew McBrayer led New Hope to 21 victories last season. The Trojans lost several key players off that team. Instead of regressing, the team reinvented itself and is back in the hunt this season.
In the latest rankings, Starkville is No. 3 and Columbus No. 4 in Class 6A, while New Hope is No. 2 in Class 5A.
On the girls’ side of the ledger, the talk is all about Starkville.
Coach Kristie Williams broke a long drought for her team by making the Mississippi Coliseum last season. Now, the Lady Jackets want even more.
Starkville is 11-0 with only one victory being by single digits.
Junior center Kelsey Jones may be the state’s best at her position.
Seniors Eryka Williams and Tanita Thompson are the captains.
The inside-out game continues to improve. So does the rebounding.
Olive Branch is 14-0 and No. 1 in the state in Class 6A. Starkville is second. The teams meet at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Humphrey Coliseum at Mississippi State.
Yes, that will be fun.
Any thoughts on high school football state championship weekend in Oxford?
Ole Miss did a wonderful job of playing host to the Mississippi High School Activities Association football state championship weekend.
Coaches and players alike gave rave reviews to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the university and the City of Oxford for hosting the event.
This is a recruiting tool for the universities and should be used as such.
Players from all 12 state championship participant teams entered the stadium by taking the “Walk of Champions,” a staple of normal Ole Miss pre-game activities when players from that school go through the tailgate area before entering the stadium.
Making this a top-notch experience for each student-athlete is not a requirement but instead it is something that Mississippi State a year ago and Ole Miss this year elected to do.
From a media standpoint, Ole Miss did an excellent job of hosting the event and making sure a wide array of potential problems were resolved before happening.
The coaches really like their kids having an opportunity to play in the senior college stadiums, complete with video boards and the traditional “big-game” feel.
This year’s games marked the second of a four-year arrangement between the MHSAA, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. The games are then expected to go to the University of Southern Mississippi for ether one or two seasons after the initial contract ends.
Ole Miss and MSU compete in everything. It stands to reason the schools will continue to try to outdo one another on an annual basis as long as this event continues to rotate.
The winners there are the future participants. They will each get an experience lasting a lifetime.
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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