STARKVILLE — Heading into the third quarter, Starkville girls basketball looked to be in control in its MHSAA Class 6A, Region 1 first-round game against Oxford on Monday.
Benefiting from playing in front of a home crowd, the Yellow Jackets used that to their advantage, coming out with energy and maintaining that into the half.
However, the third quarter saw things get turned on its head, with the Chargers outscoring Starkville 24-11 in the quarter, turning an eight-point halftime deficit into a five-point lead going into the fourth.
To say that’s not the position the Jackets wanted to be in is an understatement, but where energy wasn’t there in the third, it was in the fourth as they began the quarter on an 8-0 run, grabbing the lead back as some clutch baskets late sealed a 62-58 win.
“I just think we were able to settle down,” Starkville head coach Kristie Williams said. “I thought in the third quarter, our energy was low…I knew Oxford was going to give us their best shot. They kept fighting, and I thought we took breaks in between.
“We rallied together in the fourth quarter, and this time of the year, that’s what you have to have, that determination to finish a game off.”
For as strong as Starkville (19-4) was in the fourth quarter, it gave Oxford ample opportunities to come back in the game, especially from the foul line.
The Jackets ended up missing 17 free throws in the game, many of those coming in crucial situations that the Chargers just couldn’t take advantage of.
It didn’t help matters for Oxford that senior guard Olivia Waddell suffered what looked to be a significant leg injury that she ended up playing through the entire second half.
Without one of its best shooters at full strength, shots either weren’t falling, or the Jackets were able to cause turnovers and throw the Chargers out of sorts.
“We know that we’re a team that we’re supposed to get out there and play, so we just knew we had to get it done,” Zariyah Edwards said. “…We weren’t playing Starkville Lady Jackets basketball, so at the start of the fourth, we knew that score wasn’t how it was supposed to be.”
Edwards had 14 points in the win, but it was the play of the underclassmen that took center stage for Starkville.
Freshman Jada Gay had herself a 14-point night, and eighth-grader Zariah Brown ended up leading the Jackets in scoring with 15 points.
Having those young contributors produce this late into the season has added another level of depth to an already deep team.
“We’re riding the shoulders of two young players, so the future is really bright,” Williams said.
It’s hard to beat a team three times, but Starkville was able to do just that, with Edwards and Brown both having some major contributions in the final minutes of regulation.
Now, the Jackets have another date with Tupelo, the top seed in Region 1, in the district championship at 6 p.m. Friday.
The two teams split their regular-season matchups, and Friday’s title game will be the third round of what’s destined to be a heavyweight bout.
Starkville boys 66, Grenada 46
Similar to what Oxford was able to do at the start of the second half, taking control of the game, Starkville boys basketball did the same from the jump as the Yellow Jackets had a statement to make as the No. 1 seed in Region 1.
Having defeated Grenada handedly in both regular season games, the objective on Monday night was the same and Starkville was able to execute it to perfection.
Playing tough defensively, the Jackets got out on the break and piled up the points, easily securing themselves a spot in Friday night’s district championship game with a 66-46 win.
“We preach defense,” Starkville coach Qu’Varius “Woodie” Howard said. “We preach coming out strong, and it’s playoffs, so you only get more dialed in in the playoffs. It was just preaching playing a perfect game offensively and defensively, and we came out and started the game how we wanted to.”
While things were a bit closer than expected in the first quarter, with Starkville (23-4) holding an 18-10 lead, that lead quickly grew to double figures by half as the Jackets held Grenada scoreless in the second quarter.
From there, the senior class for Starkville stepped up and showed out, with Mahki Myles and Connor Rogers leading the team in scoring with 15 points each.
Holding a 20+ point lead as the third quarter went on, Howard was able to empty his bench and get players some important minutes with the playoffs now here.
“We know that we have other meaningful games coming up,” Howard said. “Any time we can get rest for key players and get other players some big minutes, that’s what we want to do.”
That experience will be important with state playoffs coming up, but the Jackets have a game ahead of them Friday, a rematch with Tupelo in what should be a fantastic district championship.
Other scores
Prep boys basketball
New Hope 63, Columbus 54
SALTILLO — New Hope boys basketball advanced to the MHSAA Class 5A, Region 1 championship game on Friday with a 63-54 win over Columbus on Monday night.
The Trojans had a 13-point halftime lead and were able to hold off a second-half Falcons surge to secure a place in the district championship. This is New Hope’s 11th straight win over Columbus overall.
New Hope will play the winner of West Point and Saltillo at 7:30 p.m. Friday, while Columbus will play the loser of that matchup at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the third-place game.
Columbus Christian Academy 71, Grace Christian 60
LOUISVILLE — The Columbus Christian Academy boys capped their regular season with a 71-60 road win over Grace Christian on Monday.
Garrett Weathers scored 28 points to lead the Rams, and Joe Michael Edwards added 25 points.
CCA (19-8, 4-3 district) will open play in the MAIS Class 2A, District 1 tournament Friday night at host Delta Academy.
Prep girls basketball
West Point 56, Saltillo 48
SALTILLO — West Point girls basketball advanced to the Region 1-5A title game on Friday with a 56-48 win over Saltillo on Monday night.
The Green Wave excelled in the third quarter, outscoring Saltillo, 19-13, to take a 10-point lead into the fourth.
Dukiaha Jones scored 18 of her 20 points in the second half for West Point. Malajae Robinson added 16 points, and Terica Smith had 12 points and eight rebounds.
West Point will play the winner of New Hope and Columbus at 6 p.m. Friday.
Columbus Christian Academy 45, Grace Christian 35
LOUISVILLE — The CCA girls also finished their regular season with a victory over Grace Christian on Monday in Louisville.
Ada Farlow led the Rams (19-11, 3-4 district) with 16 points. Faith Yeates scored 12, and Satavia Watkins added nine.
Columbus Christian opens district tournament play against Hebron Christian on Thursday night at Delta Academy in Marks.
Prep boys soccer
Starkville Academy 3, Bayou Academy 1
Prep baseball
Hartfield Academy 2, Starkville Academy 1 (Record: 0-1)
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