JACKSON — A well-balanced mix of grizzled veterans and talented underclassmen have the West Point High School girls basketball team on a deep run into the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State tournament.
With its postseason life and championship aspirations on the line Friday night in Jackson, West Point rose to the occasion. The Lady Wave used immeasurable determination to overcome a 14-point, halftime deficit to earn a 76-67 victory against the West Jones Lady Mustangs, the classification’s top-ranked team, at the Mississippi Coliseum.
The win moved West Point (20-5) into the semifinals at 1:30 p.m. today against Ridgeland. The winner of that game will advance to play the winner of the game between Lanier and Neshoba Central at 6 p.m. Friday at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Based on its quarterfinal performance and a historic season, West Point is The Dispatch’s Prep Players of the Week.
“When this team decides to play, they can put on a show,” West Point coach Dashmond Daniel said. “When it comes down to basketball, we are a cohesive team. No matter the stage.”
On Friday, it took a team effort to win. West Point, which played in its first tournament game in Jackson in 15 years, placed Tia McCrary, Aamiya Rush, Jamia Hollings, and Amari Heard in double figures. Defensively, the Lady Wave cut off the baseline drives in the final two quarters and corralled Brikayla Gray and Breonca Ducksworth. Gray and Ducksworth scored in single digits in the second half.
Hollings led the offensive effort as she netted a game-high 27 points. The sophomore forward used her height as an advantage to control the paint. She also had 13 rebounds, blocked two shots, and made five steals. Her game-tying and go-ahead baskets propelled West Point to victory.
“I think she knew it was going to take a team effort,” Daniel said. “(Jamia) did what the team asked of her, providing us with a strong presence in the frontcourt. She is young, but it is not going to prevent her from carrying a heavy workload.”
McCrary, a long-time starter, dished out assists and played lock-down defense. The senior had five steals and found open teammates early and often. She added an emotional intensity down the stretch that boosted the confidence of the three sophomores in the starting five.
“She got a little excited down the stretch, but it is great to have a player that has been on this team for a long time,” Daniel said. “She has plenty of experience and helps the younger girls.”
Heard, a sophomore, was another important cog. Heard picked up her second foul early in the game and was forced to watch the majority of the second quarter from the bench. The Lady Mustangs took advantage, outscoring the Lady Wave 23-9. When Heard returned, the sophomore scored six points in the second half. Although she didn’t score the most points, Daniel knows Heard has the makings of a leader.
“At the beginning of the season, (Amari) was not this team’s leader,” Daniel said. “Her mind-set has changed throughout this entire season. About a month ago, she gets them out of the locker room, we are having productive practices, all because she is leading by example.”
Chandra Raines, Goia Robertson, Makayla Williams, Tamija Chandler, Jameisha Randle, Arresta Davis, and Tyteanna Johnson round out the roster.
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