MABEN — If you were to look on paper at the West Oktibbeha County High School boys basketball team’s 81-51 victory against Dexter in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A State tournament Tuesday night, it might seem like just another ordinary first-round victory.
However, if you listened closely to the conversations of fans exiting the game, the words “one more round” were tossed around a lot.
West Oktibbeha is playing its final season of basketball before it and East Oktibbeha County High, which defeated Lumberton 80-62 in the first round, merge next school year with Starkville High.
That’s why this postseason is sentimental and unlike any other.
For Timberwolves coach Danny Crawford and his players, the win was more significant than a simple opening-round victory. Instead, it was a new experience for many of his players.
“These kids were freshmen and sophomores while we were on probation,” Crawford said. “They’ve never played in a playoff game. Now they’re using that as fuel to get through this entire experience.”
In the previous two years, West and East Oktibbeha were limited to playing only district games and weren’t allowed to participate in the playoffs due to accreditation issues. Both schools regained postseason eligibility for this school year. Now the Timberwolves want to strive for postseason glory.
Players like senior Tyrone Spencer are trying to make the most out of every game. Spencer did his part Tuesday, scoring 29 points and stifling Dexter in the paint.
“This is a special time,” Spencer said. “Even now, I’m still in shock we’re in this position. I pray that myself and the team will be able to keep a strong focus and do what we need to do on the court.”
Spencer is one of many Timberwolves players who hadn’t competed in a playoff game prior to Tuesday night. Despite the postseason inexperience, the Timberwolves are playing with a confidence Crawford likes.
“There’s a saying that success brings changes,” Crawford said. “(Winning) that district championship changed my whole team. They don’t think that they can lose. These kids are very hungry.”
There’s no way to tell how long the playoff road will last for West Oktibbeha (18-12), which will play host to Montgomery County on Saturday. Montgomery County (23-3) went 9-2 in its district and finished behind district champion Durant.
Still, the Timberwolves know what’s ahead and the team has one goal on its mind. A victory Saturday would send West Oktibbeha to Jackson and into the quarterfinals.
“We want to be the first team in school history to make it to Jackson,” sophomore JaQuante Bell said. “We’re pushing ourselves to do the best we can and to make that happen. There’s no coming back next year. This is it.”
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