Danny Crawford had high expectations when he took over both West Lowndes High School programs last August.
The former West Oktibbeha High School boys coach knew it was going to be tough coaching both teams, but he felt like both teams had a chance to compete for a state championship.
Over the weekend, both teams moved one step closer to that state championship. The Panthers beat Piney Woods High School 64-56 Saturday night to advance to the quarterfinals of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A State Championship tournament and the Lady Panthers beat Lumberton 75-66 Friday night to advance to the quarterfinals.
“It’s huge, it’s huge, it’s huge,” Crawford said. “That was a personal goal of mine. The kids worked hard, they put up with me all year, they bought into my system, that’s what makes it so good. I came in and we taught everything new. They bought in and they are reaping the rewards of hard work.”
Crawford never made it to Jackson and the Mississippi Coliseum with the Timberwolves, but he will get a chance to coach two teams next week. The Lady Panthers (17-15) play Biggersville 9 a.m. Thursday at Jackson State University and the Panthers (24-8) play Biggersville noon Thursday at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Panther junior guard Marcus Farmer scored eight of his team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter, including converting two and-1 opportunities. The Panthers outscored the Tornadoes 17-11 in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory. West Lowndes led 16-12 after the first quarter, 35-30 at halftime and 47-45 after the third quarter.
Even with a new coach, Farmer said they stressed making a trip to Jackson.
“We put a lot on emphasis on it because we were adjusting to a new coach and a new system,” Farmer said. “We never ran a system in West Lowndes and he brought it to us. We executed it.”
C.J. Smith scored 15 points and JaQuante Bell added 12 points for the Panthers.
Alexis Neely led the Lady Panthers with 25 points. Jakayla Anderson added 23 points and Shynice Watt chipped in 17 points.
Crawford said it was hard getting two teams to buy into his new system and he said the girls team bought in quicker than the boys. He said the boys finally bought into his system and things have been running smoothly ever since.
“I’m not surprised,” Crawford said. “I worked and the kids worked. You would expect for one team to slack, but I’m the type of coach that if I’m going to have my hands on it, I want it to look good. If I’m going to have the girls team, I want the girls team to work as hard as the boys team. It paid off with both teams in Jackson. I’m very excited for both teams and both teams deserve it. It’s a good thing for the county.”
Crawford showed his passion for his team on the sideline as he paced back and forth, barked encouragement and hung on every play watching his boys compete. Farmer said that passion was evident from the first day he came in.
The last time both West Lowndes teams made it to Jackson was 2006. The boys went a year ago. Farmer wants both his team and his girls team to do well.
“We got embarrassed the last time, so we’re going to try and win state this year,” Farmer said. “We’re trying to make it big this year.”
Crawford’s Thursday will be very busy as he tries to get his two teams to punch tickets to the state semifinals. The high expectations he had when he took over will be a big key to helping him prepare this week and being ready on gameday.
“(There’s) no pressure really, maybe a little anxiety,” Crawford said. “No pressure because for 32 games now, I’ve been doing the same thing. We’re going to treat it like it’s just another game.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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