State basketball championships will again be handed out this weekend and it appears some area teams have their sights sets on grabbing some gold.
As the final week of the season begins today, the West Lowndes High School boys, the Columbus High School boys and both the boys and girls teams from Starkville High School stand two wins away from a state championship.
“When you get to Jackson, you know you are at the end,” West Lowndes junior Marcus Farmer said. “It is exciting because this is what you have worked so hard for the entire season. When you get there, you know the end is in sight and you have a chance to reach your goals.”
West Lowndes (25-8) will face Houlka (22-9) at 5:30 p.m. today at the Mississippi Coliseum in the semifinal round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A state tournament. The winner will play either Simmons (23-7) or Ashland (24-7) at 2:30 p.m. Thursday for the state championship.
Despite a losing record a season ago, the West Lowndes boys made it to Jackson but lost in their first game. Still, the participation there put the squad at ease for Thursday’s dramatic 54-52 win over Biggersville in this year’s quarterfinal round.
“It’s a different experience,” West Lowndes first-year coach Danny Crawford said. “It’s good to have some guys who have been there and played in the big arena. Reaching Jackson is an accomplishment. Once you get there though, you are totally focused on finding a way to win the championship.”
Crawford said a non-region schedule full of Class 5A and 6A opponents helped toughen the Panthers from a mental standpoint. In Class 1A play, West Lowndes has more than held its own. West Lowndes has won eight of its last nine games, with the lone loss being an 82-71 setback to a red-hot Columbus team.
“We really have prepared for March for a long time,” Crawford said. “We played some elite teams and had some close games. I think each of those games gave the kids a little more confidence about what they could do.”
In Class 6A, the Starkville girls (26-2) will get the local action going with a 1:30 p.m. start against Murrah (27-3) at the Mississippi Coliseum. The other semifinal matchup involves St. Martin (28-2) and Callaway (22-9). The state championship game here is at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
A year ago, the Lady Jackets beat Hattiesburg before losing to Horn Lake in Jackson. This season, Starkville eased past Jackson Jim Hill 62-49 Saturday night to start the Jackson part of the proceedings.
“This team has incredible mental toughness and focus,” said Starkville coach Kristie Williams, whose team is on a 13-game winning streak. “You can’t be too intimidated by an opponent. You have to focus on yourself and doing what you do best.”
On the boys’ side of Class 6A, play resumes Wednesday. In a 7 p.m. semifinal, Columbus (24-5) return to center stage to take on Southaven (16-12). At 8:30 p.m., defending state champion Starkville (26-5) faces Tupelo (27-5).
Saturday in the quarterfinal round, Columbus routed George County 81-49, while Starkville beat Biloxi 55-44.
As far as common opponents go, Columbus beat Tupelo in two of three meetings this season, while Starkville beat Southaven 92-41 in a regular-season game. Starkville and Columbus split two regular-season games.
The boys’ state championship game is set for 8 p.m. Saturday.
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 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.