Makayla Rieves wasn’t even touched.
As a foul-line jumper from Columbus High School teammate Charity Yeates rattled around the rim and bounced out, Rieves came flying in from the right side of the court. She seized the ball before both nearby Lafayette defenders — one on each side of the rim — and laid it off the glass and in.
The play aptly summed up the Falcons’ superior skill and effort in Wednesday’ 42-29 win over the Commodores (11-12) in the second round of the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs. The victory puts Columbus (14-2), the defending Class 5A champion, among the final eight teams in the state.
“It’s just a blessing for us to be right here right now having an opportunity,” Columbus coach Yvonne Hairston said. “We’re back in the quarterfinals. That’s a big deal.”
The Falcons got there with outstanding defense Wednesday on a Lafayette team that used excellent shooting to beat Ridgeland in the first round Monday. The Commodores’ Sha’brya Pettis made four 3-pointers against the Titans but was bottled up all evening Wednesday. Teammate Karizma Norphlet only fared a little better.
“It’s kind for you to shoot over us,” Hairston said. “If you’re a shooting team, you’re going to have to get that ball way up, because Slim (Rieves) and them are coming.”
Rieves had four blocks to go with her 12 points, a scoring output second to only senior point guard DJ Jackson (15). She missed just one shot in an excellent offensive night.
“Making those points, it feels good — helping the team out and running back down on defense,” Rieves said.
She had to sit briefly during the second half after adding two fouls to her first-half total and coming one whistle away from disqualification, but Yeates and junior Mashanti Saddler held down the fort inside. All night, Columbus kept Lafayette away from the rim: The Commodores only managed 10 points by halftime and trailed the Falcons by eight.
“We contained them,” Hairston said. “Especially the first half, we didn’t allow them to get any looks at the basket.”
Rieves said she expected Lafayette to bring its best at Columbus after Aniya Saddler’s last-second floater beat the Commodores in last year’s quarterfinals. Lafayette did, but Columbus was ready.
“They did come hard and aggressive, but we just didn’t give up,” Rieves said.
After Columbus took a 33-15 lead into the fourth quarter, Lafayette scored the first seven points to cut its deficit to 11. But Hairston called timeout three times in quick succession, aiming to make sure the Commodores couldn’t gain the momentum necessary to go on a run. The strategy worked: Columbus’ lead never dipped below 10, and the Falcons finished off a 13-point victory.
Hairston said she and Lafayette coach Shayne Linzy know each other well; before Wednesday’s game, they talked and reflected on last year’s thriller at Itawamba Community College. The two schools have formed a bit of a rivalry, Hairston said, which made the Falcons’ win both critical and a bit bittersweet.
“It was a big win because I know how badly they wanted to beat us, and we wanted to beat them, too,” she said. “You hate to see them lose, but you’re happy that we won.”
Columbus now welcomes Holmes County Central on Friday with a similar revenge storyline at play: The Falcons beat the Jaguars 48-44 in Lexington in last year’s second round.
“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Hairston said. “I know they don’t want to lose, and we don’t either.”
Rieves said Holmes will be the toughest test yet for a Columbus team that hasn’t lost since Dec. 8 at Noxubee County. The Falcons, however, feel prepared for what the Jags will show them.
“They’re coming at us,” Hairston said. “Like the kids say, they’re going to be at our heads.
“We’ll be ready, though,” she added. “We’ll be ready.”
Other scores
Prep Girls Basketball
Columbus Christian Academy 41, Claiborne Academy (La.) 28, MAIS Class 2A tournament quarterfinal
BENTON — The Columbus Christian Academy girls won their MAIS Class 2A tournament quarterfinal against Claiborne Academy (Louisiana) on Wednesday at Benton Academy, 41-28.
Audrey Foreman led the Rams with 13 points. Faith Yeates had 10, and Taylor Tipton had six. CC DeVos and Morgan Whitten added five apiece.
The Rams move on to play Greenville Christian School at 3 p.m. Friday.
West Lowndes 73, McEvans 43, MHSAA Class 1A playoffs, second round
The West Lowndes girls beat McEvans 73-43 in Wednesday’s MHSAA Class 1A second-round playoff game in Columbus.
Tydajasha Hood led the Panthers with 18 points. Averi Sanders had 16, and Nenah Young had 14.
West Lowndes will host Sacred Heart on Friday in the state quarterfinals.
Madison Central 43, Starkville 41, MHSAA Class 6A playoffs, second round
MADISON — The Starkville High School girls lost 43-41 to Madison Central in Wednesday’s MHSAA Class 6A second-round game, ending their season.
The Jaguars advance to take on Olive Branch in the state quarterfinals.
Noxubee County 48, North Panola 38, MHSAA Class 3A playoffs, second round
MACON — The Noxubee County girls used a big fourth quarter to beat North Panola 48-38 on Wednesday in the second round of the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs in Macon.
The Tigers trailed 32-29 heading into the final period and came out with a double-digit win.
Na’Kaiyla “Tootie” Lockett led Noxubee County with 23 points, adding six rebounds and five steals.
Aaliyah Brandy had nine points and eight rebounds, and Jakeia Walker had eight points, four rebounds and two steals. Zacaree Rupert added six points, four rebounds and two steals.
Prep Boys Basketball
Bowling Green School (La.) 75, Oak Hill Academy 64, MAIS Class 3A tournament quarterfinal
WEST POINT — The Oak Hill Academy boys lost to Bowling Green School (Louisiana) 75-64 in Wednesday’s MAIS Class 3A tournament quarterfinal in West Point.
The Raiders’ season is over with the loss.
Prep Baseball
Heritage Academy 6, Washington School 0
Braden Davidson struck out seven batters over six shutout innings as the Heritage Academy baseball team blanked Washington School 6-0 on Wednesday in Columbus.
Carson Hollis led the Patriots (3-1) with two hits, and Aaron Downs had a double and two walks and scored three runs.
Heritage Academy will host Nettleton at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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