CLINTON — The Columbus High School boys soccer team faced a state power Tuesday night.
Against a Clinton High program that has won nine state titles in the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s highest classification, Columbus faced an uphill battle for 80 minutes.
Orion Anderson scored four goals in the first half, including two in 40 seconds, to help Clinton defeat Columbus 5-0 in the first round of the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs at Arrow Field.
The Arrows (12-10-2) have won eight-straight games and will face the winner of Madison Central and Southaven. The first-round playoff game between the Jaguars and the Chargers is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. today in Southaven.
“Our plan was to score early, and we put (Columbus) away in the first half,” Clinton coach Tyler Wade said. “(Anderson) has been a huge change for us after Christmas. He’s added more attack to our team.
“I think Columbus enjoyed playing in the first-round game. We had to play at our fullest ability because they weren’t taking this game for granted.”
Clinton delivered its first blow eight minutes in after applying high pressure on Columbus’ defensive line. Cade Carpenter’s long throw-in toward the 18-yard box resulted in a scrum. Amongst the chaos of swinging legs and colliding bodies, Anderson slipped the ball across the goal line.
Anderson pressured Columbus for the next 20 minutes and capitalized again at the 10-minute mark with a right-footed shot past the outstretched hand of Kyle Rodriguez.
Anderson manufactured the four-goal, halftime advantage with less than five minutes left in the first half, scoring on a header off a corner kick and adding another goal on a powerful left-footed strike at the 4:02 mark.
“It’s not the result we wanted. We made strides this season, and I hope we build on it,” Columbus coach Kevin Schultz said. “We battled after the first half. They battled and competed, but not as much as we could have in the first half.”
Ty Irwin added the Arrows’ final score midway through the second half, but Columbus didn’t relinquish its effort despite the rout. Charles Stanback, the senior captain, kept spirits high for his team, chasing after any play that occurred in his area. Other seniors added their effort to a positive second half and a productive season. Demirious Hudson, Russell Taylor, Allen Lewis, Kelin Hernandez, Rufus Gordon, Kimani Whitfield, Jamarquez Ezell, Alexander Rivera, James Garton and Jarrett Bates rounded out the senior class.
“Charles has done well,” Schultz said. “Our entire senior class has stepped up. We are going to miss those (seniors). It’s great to get these guys back to the playoffs. We have a new mentality around this program.”
The Falcons, who made their first appearance in the MHSAA soccer postseason in four years, finished 3-10-3.
n In the girls game, Clinton scored a pair of first-half goals and added a late score one in a 3-0 victory.
Isaura Camacho had a 35-yard strike with 19 minutes, 42 seconds remaining before halftime, and Kyleigh Comley scored on a rebound off goalkeeper Rachel Lafayette 14 minutes later. Evan Slay’s 20-yard strike was the highlight in the second half.
“We made a couple of mistakes early that cost us down the stretch,” Columbus first-year head coach James Rush said. “Clinton is a good team. We had to play a more physical game. We played one of the better games of the season, but we couldn’t get our offense going.”
Columbus (7-11) made the game uncomfortable for Clinton, but it couldn’t capitalize on several situations in either half. Seniors Shelby Jones, Jessica Verdell, Konosha Gardner, and Jovonna Hampton played their final games for Columbus.
“I have a couple of shoes that are going to be hard to fill,” Rush said. “We are going to miss these seniors and wish them the best.”
Clinton (9-9-5) will face Northwest Rankin on Saturday in Flowood.
Basketball
n Starkville sweeps West Point: At West Point, Tyson Carter had 21 points Tuesday night to lead the Starkville High School boys basketball team to a 67-58 victory against West Point.
Keith Harris had 13 points and Darrious Agnew had 11 for the Yellow Jackets (18-4).
In the girls game, Shannon Tate had 17 points and Tanita Thompson had 16 in Starkville’s 66-54 victory.
Tabreea Gandy had 10 for the Lady Yellow Jackets (17-2).
n Tupelo sweeps Columbus: At Tupelo, Robert Woodard II had 22 points, but the Columbus High boys basketball team lost to Tupelo 56-52 on Tuesday night.
In the girls game, Kayla Rogers had 25 points and 12 rebounds for Columbus, but Tupelo earned a 53-48 victory.
n Starkville Academy splits against Leake Academy: At Starkville, Luke Templeton had 20 points Tuesday to help the Starkville Academy boys basketball earn an 80-55 victory on Senior Night. The victory capped an undefeated run through district play in the regular season.
Codie Futral had 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals, Ade Amusa had eight points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals, Reid Stevens had eight points and five rebounds, and Carter Roach had seven points, five assists, and four steals.
In the girls game, Leake Academy earned a 62-39 victory.
n Pickens Academy splits with Marengo Academy: At Carrollton, Alabama, Olivia Lewis had 18 points to lead the Pickens Academy girls basketball team to a 44-35 victory against Marengo Academy.
The victory helped the Lady Pirates (10-5) secure the Alabama Independent School Association Region 2, Area 2 championship.
Allison Latham added 12 points for Pickens Academy.
In the boys game, Austin Goodman had 12 points, but Pickens Academy lost to Marengo Academy 52-41.
Pickens Academy (8-8) will play Wilcox Academy at 3:15 p.m. Friday at Clarke Prep in the first round of the region tournament.
The Pickens Academy girls will play the winner of the game between Wilcox Academy and Marengo Academy on Friday at Meridian Community College.
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