STARKVILLE — Starkville High School girls’ basketball coach Kristie Williams reminded senior Kirsten Thompson this could be her breakout season before it ever started.
Williams was not sure how things would go for her talented center; however, she believed Thompson was ready to take the state by storm.
Turns out, Williams and Thompson made quite the duo as Starkville repeated as Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A state champions.
“It was just a simple reminder that this was her time to shine,” Williams said. “I knew how hard she had been working. When you work that hard and you are determined in everything you do, good things are going to happen for you.”
The most recent good thing for Thompson happened Tuesday when she signed to play basketball at Mississippi College.
“This is just a great opportunity for me,” Thompson said. “To be able to continue to play is exciting. I really liked everything Mississippi College had to offer. They have a good academic program in what I want to study. The basketball team felt like family when I was around them. You could tell it was a good fit. This is exciting for me.”
In each of the past two seasons, Thompson had been an understudy to Kelsey Jones, an all-state performer and the team’s center. Jones carried the Lady Jackets to the Mississippi Coliseum as a sophomore and a year later, the team made it back to claim a state championship.
With four starters returning, the only question mark on the team was at center. While it may have been a question mark to the outside world, it was not to the players and coaches at Starkville.
“We knew that once it clicked, she was going to be unstoppable,” Starkville senior Jariyah Covington said. “It started back in the summer. You could see her get a little more comfortable each time out. When the season started, she was still trying to make sure she belonged. We knew we needed her. She was everything that we needed to win another championship.”
Williams said Thompson has always worked hard to hone her game. Countless hours were spent in the gym with her teammates. More time was spent at home with her dad.
“She really had to two things to work on to make herself ready to be looked at by the colleges,” Williams said. “We knew she would start and play all the time. She went to the gym and worked on her shot and her footwork. You could tell (college ball) was something she wanted. She was going to work hard to clear her weaknesses to make that happen.”
When addressing the crowd, Williams gave another milestone for Thompson, which was near and dear to her heart.
In the state championship game each year, the top scholar athlete is recognized between the two schools competing in the game. In each of last two championship games, Thompson received that award.
“The academic side of things has always been very important,” Thompson said. “Nothing is going to come easy, in basketball or in school. You learn to work hard, to compete, to be the best. Those awards were special. A lot of credit goes to the coaches for pushing all of us to be the best in all areas.”
Williams is always proud when a player is able to sign and take the next step.
“We have been blessed,” Williams said. “As a coach, it’s a thrill to see the hard work pay off. The players are dedicating themselves on the court and in the classroom. It makes you proud when you see each player being able to celebrate with their family and friends like this.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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