STARKVILLE — Starkville High School Director of Athletics Stan Miller always has fostered an environment where every sport matters.
Starkville High programs are expected to contend at the highest level. The basketball teams held up their end of the deal this past season.
“It starts with the support of a great administration,” Starkville boys coach Greg Carter said. “I have dealt with different principals, superintendents, and athletic directors. However, they have all had the same goal. They want what is the best for the student-athlete. No matter what it takes to be successful, that is what we are going to receive.”
The Yellow Jackets and Lady Jackets combined to win 51 games this season. Both teams advanced to the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson to play in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A State tournament.
The Starkville boys won the state championship for the first time since 2010, while the Starkville girls lost in the semifinals in their first trip to the “Big House” since 1992.
“It starts with two great basketball coaches,” Miller said. “They care about their players greatly. They have a system in place that is all about winning. It is also about character, class, and doing things the right way.”
Today, Starkville girls coach Kristie Williams is being announced as The Dispatch’s Large School All-Area Basketball Coach of the Year. Carter was chosen for the boys award in Sunday’s edition. Starkville players also swept the individual honors. Kelsey Jones is the girls Player of Year, while Starkville’s Tyson Carter and West Point’s Ecurb Forest shared the boys award.
For the Starkville boys, competing in Jackson is common. In his 14 seasons as coach, Greg Carter has taken Starkville to Jackson on numerous occasions, including four of the past six seasons. The Starkville girls came close before breaking through this season under Williams, who just completed her 11th season.
“It was fun making an impact this season,” Starkville junior guard Eryka Williams said. “Everyone has always talked about the boys team, but this year people wanted to talk about us, too. Students would come up and tell you they were coming to see you play. That meant a lot.”
Starkville turned the Bee Hive into a home-court advantage. The Starkville boys finished 26-5, including 13-0 at home. The Starkville girls finished 25-5, including 12-1 at home.
“Playing at home was great,” Starkville senior forward Raphael Leonard said. “Everybody was excited. When we got a big dunk or two early, it really set the tone. Sometimes the other teams were intimidated by playing us on our court. Playing at home was a huge advantage in the (region) tournament).”
Both teams won twice to capture the MHSAA Class 6A, Region 3 tournament title. That meant a first-round playoff bye and a chance to play a second-round playoff game at home. Both teams passed that challenge and advanced to Jackson.
“It was a humbling experience,” Greg Carter said. “There are a lot of great teams that don’t make it to Jackson every year. You treasure each trip because it is special. Once you get there, anything can happen.”
The Starkville boys finished the season with 13-straight wins, while the Starkville girls had a 12-game winning streak end in a loss to Horn Lake in their second game in Jackson.
“It felt good to finally belong,” Kristie Williams said. “Greg Carter is one of my best friends in this business. He has always been my sounding board. I frequently asked him about different things to try against different opponents. He always gave me sound advice. I treasure our friendship greatly.
“Sometimes they make going to Jackson look easy. I am glad we were able to finally feel what that feels like.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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