STARKVILLE — When his team needed a defensive lift, Starkville boys’ basketball coach Greg Carter knew who to turn to.
As the Yellow Jackets advanced to back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state championship games, Keith Harris was the defensive mastermind behind the team.
“Keith may have been our most under-rated player,” Carter said. “He made himself one of the best defensive players in the state.”
Harris celebrated his high school career and made plans for the fall Friday when he signed a basketball scholarship offer with East Mississippi Community College. On the girls’ side, Eryka Williams signed with Itawamba Community College.
“It’s another big day for the Lady Jacket program,” Starkville girls’ coach Kristie Williams said. “Anytime you have a player to sign college ball, it is a special occasion. We are proud of Eryka and look forward to continue to watch her grow.”
The Starkville girls also reached Jackson and had a chance to play in back-to-back Class 6A state tournaments. The Lady Jackets made it to Jackson for the first time since 1992.
“It was really special to know you were on one of the elite teams in the state,” Eryka Williams said. “We had a lot of really big wins. It was exciting to be part of the team that brought us back to that level. I learned so much about myself and about the game of basketball. There will always be some special memories.”
Eryka Williams averaged 10.2 points per game this past season for a Starkville squad, which finished 26-3 after losing to Murrah in the semifinal round of the state tournament. In her junior season, Eryka Williams’ squad fell to Horn Lake in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament.
“Eryka really became a leader for us,” Kristie Williams said. “When she arrived, she was still learning how to play and how to become a leader. She learned from Imane (Montgomery) and Blair (Schaefer) and really molded herself into being a team leader. She was more vocal and assertive this season.”
Eryka Williams rewarded Itawamba from being consistent throughout the recruiting process. Kristie Williams got her coaching start thanks to ICC coach Nanci Gray.
“They have been with me since day one,” Eryka Williams said. “After just about every game, I got a text message congratulating me on a win or telling me to keep my head up after a loss. It meant a lot to me that they cared that much about me.”
The Starkville boys fell to Columbus in this season’s Class 6A state championship game to finish 27-6. In 2015, Starkville beat Madison Central to win its first title since 2010.
“Even thought we fell short in the final game, it was a great ride,” Harris said. “This was a special season. Last year was even more special because we won the championship. You will always remember being a part of a championship team. Coach Carter was such a great influence on me. He made me a better basketball player and a better person.”
This season, Harris averaged 15 points per game.
Carter said Harris was shy when he first started working with him in seventh grade. However, the natural ability was there. As Harris learned to become more aggressive and vocal, his game took off.
“He has always led by example,” Carter said. “This season, he was more aggressive. He always knew what to do on defense and as the season progressed we really counted on him offensively and he had several big nights.”
Harris said the recruiting process was fun but the opportunity to play at one of the traditional powers in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges was too good to pass.
“Playing college ball has always been a dream,” Harris said. “To see all of that hard work pay off is extremely gratifying.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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