COLUMBUS — Tuesday evening in Columbus was a series of ups and downs for Falcons boys basketball.
A hot start and a near double-digit lead in the first quarter against Callaway gave way to a tied 15-15 ballgame going into the second quarter.
While Columbus got some separation before half, up 36-31 at the break, the Falcons needed a second-half jolt to secure victory and a second-half jolt they got.
The Falcons out-scored the Chargers, 21-9, in the third quarter, stretching the lead out to as much as 20 points, and despite a late Callaway comeback, Columbus emerged victorious, 73-66.
“We’ve been putting an emphasis on coming out strong in the first and third quarters,” head coach Phillip Morris said. “That’s been a big downfall of ours, not coming out strong in the third quarter, but we did a good job coming out of the third quarter.”
Tuesday’s third quarter was the difference for the Falcons (16-4, 3-1,) but after the game, the focus was more on how Columbus closed the game rather than how it built up a sizable lead.
Callaway ended up with some garbage time baskets late to cut the deficit to single-digits, but with 2:32 left, it was just an eight-point game.
The Chargers kept their heads down while a mental lapse on the court from the Falcons allowed what was an out-of-reach game to get within reach.
“Coach just said, ‘Put our foot on the gas pedal,’” guard Jace O’Neal said. “We have to come out from the break and keep scoring, keep going. … We’re trying to get better every game. Every district game counts so we have to take every game seriously and play hard.”
O’Neal led Columbus in scoring in the first half with 10 points, finishing with 16 overall.
He was one of four Falcons to finish in double-figures in scoring, led by Jeremiah Aaron’s 17-point performance.
That balanced scoring proved key down the stretch as despite them continuing to play up tempo instead of trying to slow the game down with the clock on their side, they were still able to get key baskets to prevent a Callaway comeback.
“I really think we just have to slow down, pay attention to the clock,” guard Jace O’Neal said. “There were times where we forced up shots we didn’t need to. The more we slow down and run our offense like that, we’ll be a lot better in those situations.”
Columbus is a team on a mission right now, one of the best Class 6A schools in the Mississippi High School Activities Association, and wins like this help the Falcons identify how they can get even better.
“It seems like when we get up, we can’t finish, make the right plays at the end of the game,” Morris said. “We just have to finish and be better in other aspects. … A win is a win. A win is a good win, but guys just have to lock in and be focused.”
Callaway girls 44, Columbus 28
Last season’s MHSAA Class 5A runner-up came to Columbus on Tuesday to dominate, and dominate Callaway did.
However, it took until midway through the second quarter for the Chargers to create some separation between them and the Falcons.
Columbus has had its fair share of struggles this season, but facing a state championship-caliber program, it held its own. Unfortunately, that gap widened too much as Callaway came out victorious, 44-28.
“They’ve been beating people by 80 points this season,” head coach Yvonne Hairston said. “I felt like we matched up well against them. When we get smaller is when we have problems.”
Tuesday ended up being all about Callaway guard Jahanna Wilson, who scored her 1000th career point on a buzzer-beating three-pointer going into halftime.
She was the star of the show, finishing with a game-high 13 points and three 3-pointers, and Columbus (1-16, 0-4) just couldn’t find a way to stop her.
“We just didn’t score enough tonight,” Hairston said. “We had the shots. We just missed them and if we could have made some shots late in the ballgame, then it would have been a closer game. … (Wilson) can play. Her run before halftime, that’s how they pulled away from us.”
The struggles continue for the Falcons, but a spot in the region tournament is still very much up for grabs.
With six region games remaining, Columbus needs a late run to give them a shot at the postseason.
“I feel good,” Hairston said. “Our point guard has been out. She didn’t play tonight and I think that’s going to make a big difference when we get into tournament play and she’ll be back.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 46 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion