Columbus High School first-year boys basketball coach Luther Riley expected some early season adversity.
He also hoped his team would be clicking on a high level when the calendar turned to February.
If Tuesday night was any indication, the Falcons might be on their way. Columbus scored the game’s first 15 points and cruised to a 70-45 victory against West Point at the Falcon Lair.
“If you want to be a championship contender, you have to be playing really well in late January and early February,” Riley said. “You have to have a sense of purpose late in the year. I think we are learning how to do that. We are learning what it takes to win games when it matters most.”
West Point entered Friday night’s game against Class 6A power Tupelo on an eight-game winning streak. The Green Wave was finally healthy and jelling at the right time. Tupelo then dominated late for a 79-48 win. West Point bounced back with a victory against Okolona Saturday night.
On Tuesday, West Point fell into the same routine. After trailing 28-20 at halftime, Columbus removed all doubt with a 33-8 run.
“We are playing a challenging schedule, and the kids know that,” West Point coach Brad Cox said. “We are trying to learn from these games. We were competitive for a stretch and then it just kind of snowballed us there on the end. Class 6A is loaded and by the time you look at our games with Columbus, Tupelo, and Starkville, you see the type of challenge we are facing.”
As the calendar hits February, Riley admits Class 6A is wide open.
Reigning state champion Starkville boys fell to 16-4 after a 59-56 loss to Jackson Provine on Monday in Clinton. Starkville and Columbus split two-regular season meetings.
Tupelo improved to 20-1 Tuesday with a victory against Hernando, its ninth-straight win. Tupelo and Columbus will meet twice in the next three weeks in Class 6A, Region 2 play.
Meridian owns a win against Starkville and is streaking with a 21-2 record.
“This is the most wide open 6A has been,” Riley said. “A year ago, everyone was assuming Starkville would win it. This season, you really could have any different number of teams emerge. It’s going to be really important to being playing well the last couple of weeks of the season.
“In the postseason, you want to carry some momentum. In the past, the elite teams could just turn it on late. Here you have to be ready from the beginning because you are going to face a series of quality opponents.”
Robert Woodard II continues to lead Columbus. The Dandy Dozen sophomore had 24 points Tuesday night. Cam Douglas added 12.
Columbus will dress out the deepest and tallest lineup in Class 6A. Riley said the senior-heavy unit has finally meshed.
“It has taken us a little longer than we thought to get to this point,” Riley said. “The guys have to learn a new coach and his expectation level for doing things. There are days when you are waiting for it to all come together. But we always kept working with the bigger picture in mind.”
Columbus had won five in a row before a 44-42 loss to Velma Jackson in the Rumble of the South at Mississippi College on Monday. Riley said his squad didn’t execute on offense and was itching again to compete.
“We have come long way since the loss to Starkville (an 80-61 loss on Dec. 12),” Riley said. “The kids have that swagger again. They know our capabilities.”
West Point also has been playing with a swagger of late. After opening the season with eight straight losses, West Point won eight straight, including region victories against Saltillo and Oxford.
Now West Point will focus in on the stretch run of region play. New Hope is up Friday in Lowndes County. While West Point has lost two of its last three, New Hope has lost seven of its last nine after climbing to second in the Class 5A rankings.
“Realistically, one very good team is going to miss the playoffs from our region,” Cox said. “Hopefully, we can win the games that matter and it won’t be us. The New Hope matchup is exciting for us because we will both be playing a little desperate, needing something good to happen.”
After losing two starters due to injury during summer ball, Cox stressed patience during his team’s early season struggles. He knew on paper at least he had a squad that could compete. West Point hopes to make up for what it lacks in size with speed and quickness.
In Class 5A, Neshoba Central solidified its claim as the clear favorite after completing a season sweep of New Hope on Tuesday night. However, the Rockets could have that off night, opening the door for many.
“If we make shots, we have a chance to be competitive most nights,” Cox said. “It’s a fun group to coach. They showed me something when they didn’t get down about starting 0-8. Instead of giving up on the season, they worked harder. They came to the gym more.”
Senior point guard A.J. McFarland said the region victories against Saltillo and Oxford — both at home in come-from-behind fashion changed the entire mind-set of the team.
“Those were ranked teams,” McFarland said. “It shows we can compete with anybody when we have our heads in the game and are our playing to our potential.”
In the opener, the Columbus girls beat the West Point girls 66-56.
For the Lady Falcons (10-4), Zaria Jenkins had 27 points, followed by Kayla Rogers with (20) and Rokila Wallace (11). Qiayon Bailey had 18 for West Point (14-5).
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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