The Starkville boys basketball team have guaranteed themselves an opportunity to play for the Class 5A state championship.
After a dominating 82-67 victory over Provine High School Friday night in the Class 5A North Half semifinals at Forrest Hill High School, the Yellow Jackets avenged a regular season loss and showcased the talents of one of the state’s premier players.
SHS senior center Gavin Ware finished with a game-high 27 points and was critical to a 23-0 run in the second quarter that had the Yellow Jackets taking a commanding 35-11 lead with just over two minutes left in the contest.
“He was an absolute monster in the post tonight,” Starkville coach Greg Carter said. “They tried to come out and pressure our guards and guard him one-on-one and they just can’t guard him doing that. Nobody can.”
Ware, a 6-foot-8 power player who is signed to play next season at Mississippi State University, has had double figures in each of Starkville’s four playoff games this season but Friday night’s performance was tops by 11 points.
“After the knee injury that made him sit out the playoffs last year, he’s just so excited to even be playing basketball right now,” Carter said. “That excitement and energy is carrying him on the court and he’s been a force for us.”
Against an opponent that defeated them 80-76 in their gym nine days before Christmas, Starkville would take a 39-19 lead into the locker room for the halftime break and cruise to victory.
“The difference tonight was we made all the effort plays, we didn’t let them outhustle us,” Carter said. “In this rematch we turned the tables on them in a big way.”
Starkville had three other offensive players in double figures with guards Steve Brand and Jacoby Mobley adding 14 and 11 respectively on outside shots from the perimeter.
When Ware was double-teamed by Provine coach Otis Gaines, SHS forward Tory Rice was able to contribute 11 points.
“Once Gavin started to get some attention from them, Tory started going to work on the other side and they had no answer for him,” Carter said. “If he hadn’t gotten into some early foul trouble than he probably would’ve gone for over 20 points.”
Starkville will now go for the North Half Championship tonight against Callaway High School with the Chargers having the home advantage with the opening tip to start at Forest Hill High School at 7 p.m. Callaway defeated Canton High School 67-54 in the earlier North Half semifinal Friday afternoon.
“That’s big to know that no matter what, we’ll be playing in the state tournament,” Carter said.
“However, don’t misunderstand — we still want to want to come out and be just as good tomorrow. That trophy means just as much to us.”
ICCE boys advance
The Immanuel Christian boys reached the Final Four and secured a spot in the overall AA State tournament next week by defeating River Oaks (La.) 58-46 on Wednesday and Indianola Academy 62-57 on Monday.
Against River Oaks (La.), Darius Jones had 20 points and two assists, Ross Moore had 15 points and three assists, Jason Davis had 12 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocked shots, A.J. Johnston had seven points, three assists, and seven rebounds, and K.C. Cunningham had three points.
Against Indianola Academy, Davis had 26 points, 17 rebounds, and two blocks, Jones had 11 points and three assists, Johnston had seven points, four assists, and seven rebounds, Moore had six points and six rebounds, and Norris Harris, Jordan Miller, and Cunningham each had two points.
Other results
In the North State Class 3A semifinals, the Aberdeen girls were eliminated by Velma Jackson, 71-44.
In the South State Class 1A semifinals, the East Oktibbeha girls were eliminated by Hinds AHS, 82-41.
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