Gary Griffin wants to keep a good thing going.
As a longtime assistant coach to Sammy Smith, Griffin saw the positive effects of the Columbus High School boys basketball team’s work in the community. He also saw how fans in the community came out and supported the Falcons when they played at home.
Last season, Griffin saw that support and excitement increase behind a team many believed could win the program’s first state championship.
All of that optimism was realized in March, when Columbus (27-5) defeated reigning Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State champion Starkville 37-33 to win its first state championship in boys basketball.
Now as the team’s head coach, Griffin wants that momentum to continue.
At 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, Griffin and the Columbus High girls and boys basketball teams will present Purple Madness. The event will feature a slum dunk contest, a 3-point shooting contest, live performances, and an appearance by the school’s cheerleaders. General admission tickets for the event in the school’s main gym are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
“We want to introduce our team like a rally for the new year,” said Griffin, who was named to replace Luther Riley prior to the start of the school year. “We want the community to come out and support the girls and boys. We will have plenty of fun activities and entertainment.”
Griffin said the event will be even more special because the boys basketball team will unveil a framed championship picture of the 2015-16 team that will hang on the wall in the gym. He said the photo, which was taken in the school gym, will be big — possibly 48×96 — and will be located next to a scoreboard.
Griffin hopes the unveiling of the picture will remind this year’s team how hard it needs to work to win a title.
“I think these guys already are motivated to get back to that level,” Griffin said. “They have been working extremely hard.”
Griffin said Columbus will have about 15 players on its varsity roster. He said the Falcons will have 11-12 players on a junior varsity team. The program also will have a freshman and a middle school team.
After losing 10 seniors from last season’s team, Griffin said the addition of transfers Dorian Brewer and Jaborris Frazier from Columbus Christian Academy and Jonte Williams from New Hope will bolster the lineup. Brewer and Frazier were part of a state championship team last season at the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AA level, so Griffin feels all of the transfers will be able to fit in with how the Falcons want to perform at a championship level.
Griffin said he likes what he has seen from the players in his first few months leading the program. He said the Falcons have worked hard on conditioning to be ready to have a chance to win another title.
“We have been doing conditioning for the last eight weeks,” Griffin said. “We’re very, very excited. We are ready to tip the season off.”
Columbus will play Yazoo City on Nov. 5 in Tiger Land Classic in Canton. It will play host to West Lowndes in its home opener on Nov. 8.
The Columbus High boys basketball team also is selling $10 tickets for a fish fry fundraiser. The fish fry, which is sponsored by the 6th man Booster Club, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Columbus High. The plate will include fish, cole slaw, baked beans, cake, and a beverage. One ticket is good for one plate. The proceeds will go to the Columbus High boys basketball program.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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