STARKVILLE — Kristie Williams knows every senior class is special.
But to the Starkville High School girls basketball coach, the Class of 2021 was a cut above. For Williams, a starting lineup composed completely of seniors stepped up, leading the Yellow Jackets to the second round of the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs.
On the boys side of things, seniors powered coach Greg Carter’s team to success, too. Carter’s squad got as far as the state championship game, losing there to Clinton in the bid for its third straight title.
“This group of seniors is probably the most successful group of seniors to ever come through Starkville High School to play basketball,” Carter said.
Thursday afternoon, seven players who took on key roles for both teams signed to continue their basketball careers. Williams had three players ink their national letters of intent to Mississippi community colleges, and Carter had four.
“It’s always great as a coach when you have this moment at the end of the season,” Williams said, calling the ceremony more beautiful than any gold ball — including the two boys title trophies from 2019 and 2020 that flanked the signees.
Williams watched as an all-around player, a prolific post scorer and a standout rebounder all took their next steps.
A pair of cousins — Jada Odneal and center Sukkima Suell — both signed to play for coach Sharon Thompson at East Mississippi Community College. The Lions won the 2019-20 state championship and will also bring in Columbus High point guard DJ Jackson.
Forward Brayland Ferguson, whom Williams compared to WNBA star Tamika Catchings for her talent on the boards, donned the hat of Coahoma Community College. Williams said Ferguson wasn’t always sure she would keep playing basketball but ultimately decided to continue in the sport.
“I’m glad that she decided to follow her dream,” Williams said.
The coach said she’s excited to keep up with the careers of her newly signed seniors.
“They’re continuing their dream of playing basketball, but they’re also continuing the dream that I always had for them: to get an education beyond high school and continue to build on becoming a fine young lady in the community,” Williams said.
On the boys side of things, four senior Yellow Jackets who were part of the back-to-back championship-winning teams chose their next destination.
Guard Eric Green, who blossomed into Starkville’s star player toward the second half of his senior year, signed with Holmes Community College. Green’s brother Tyler Talley is a sophomore on the Bulldogs’ men’s team.
“It was the toughest decision I’ve made in my whole life,” said Green, who came over from McAdams as a sophomore and learned to play four positions under Carter for the Jackets.
Jarmarvious Phillips, who signed with Mississippi Delta Community College, handled similar changes on the court. A three-year starter, Phillips spent his sophomore and junior seasons at center before being converted to a guard/forward role this season.
Guard Keyvon Pearson was lost for words when he sat down at the black table in the middle of the gym, surrounded by his family. After an emotional pause, he announced he had signed with Itawamba Community College.
The last Yellow Jacket to sign was Coltie Young, an athletic wing capable of knocking down 3s and slamming home dunks at any given moment. Carter praised Young’s improvement shortly before the senior told the crowd he was headed to Pearl River Community College.
“Coltie got better and better each year that he was in high school,” Carter said.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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