For the Columbus High School basketball team, every game matters.
With four new players in the starting lineup, chemistry is far more important than execution at this point in the season.
Still, the Falcons had plenty of both in a 78-42 win over West Lowndes in the team’s home opener at the Falcon Nest.
“It’s all about chemistry right now,” Columbus junior Deinjay Harris said. “We are still learning. We will be a totally different team later in the season. Right now, we are trying to learn each other and get better.”
West Lowndes dressed eight players and played without its football players, due to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) playoffs.
A quick start, along with its depth and athleticism, allowed the Falcons to cruise to the victory.
“We played a lot better,” Columbus first-year coach Gary Griffin said. “Much better execution than the opener (a win over Yazoo City at the Canton Tiger Land Classic). We are going to run a little hot and cold early. I really like our effort and the attention to detail. This team is eager to grow up, but we just have to be patient and work at getting better.”
Columbus used a 12-0 run to build a 23-8 lead after one quarter. West Lowndes closed back with single digits before a 22-point first half by Robert Woodard II allowed Columbus to build a 44-24 halftime lead. The Falcons continued to rotate in long, athletic bodies.
“Our size is really good,” Griffin said. “We have been blessed there the last couple of seasons. With our speed and our length, we can get into some passing lanes and force some turnovers. Easy baskets in transition will be important to us throughout the season. We want to be up-tempo and force the issue. We did a good job of that.”
After scoring 23 points in the 64-56 win over Yazoo City, Woodard II, the lone returning starter for the reigning MHSAA Class 6A state champions, followed that up with 26 points Tuesday night, while Harris added 12 points and seven assists. Fourteen players scored for the Falcons.
“It’s really exciting,” Woodard II said. “The young guys really respect me and going to me for advice. It means a lot because we are working hard at becoming a team. The thing with new guys is you can’t get upset when they make mistakes. I think our attitude is really good. We are in the gym every day working to get better.”
Griffin said Woodard II, one of the top juniors in the state, had worked hard during the off-season on his strength and conditioning. He has worked on his game in many ways, extending beyond the gym. That attitude has been contagious.
“Robert has done so many things to become even better than he already was,” Griffin said. “The other guys see that. They want to do that workout. They want to do that diet. They see those things and they know doing those things will help them as a player and help us a team.”
Even though he was the leading scorer a year ago, Woodard II was a role player. Now he is a key scorer but a leader as well.
“We got a lot of things we have to work on as a team,” Woodard II said. “It’s exciting to get back out of here with these young guys and to push them every day.”
Griffin said his team’s defensive effort was sub-par in the first two games. That will be the biggest emphasis in practice heading into play Saturday at the Pontotoc Classic and next Tuesday’s showdown with Starkville. A year ago, Columbus beat Starkville in the state championship game.
“We are happy about 2-0 but we have a long way to go,” Harris said. “Defense is the main thing. We have to keep working hard to get better on that end of the floor. The rest will come.”
Darius Harkins had 14 points and Courtney Stovall had 13 points for West Lowndes.
n Columbus girls 85, West Lowndes 27: Playing at home was huge for the Lady Falcons.
Columbus was back on the court after dropping a 73-48 decision at Choctaw Central in its season opener Saturday night.
“We were nervous in the first game of the year,” Columbus coach Yvonne Hairston said. “Choctaw Central shot the ball real well. We couldn’t get too them quick enough. We had a lot of open shots and didn’t make them. They were shots we normally make and I just though that was some nervousness.
“We watched the film and made some adjustments. I thought we were a lot more relaxed tonight and it showed on the court.”
Columbus (1-1) received 24 points from Zaria Jenkins and 10 points each from Tori Weir and Hannah White.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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