JACKSON — Starkville got its revenge.
After falling in the state title game in overtime last season, the Yellow Jackets dominated Harrison Central 39-22 to claim the MHSAA Girls Class 7A state championship on Friday night at the Mississippi Coliseum.
It’s Starkville’s (31-3) sixth state title in school history and first since 2018.
“This is a surreal feeling because we’ve had the target on our backs all year; proud of the girls because winning 31 games is hard to do,” said Starkville coach Matt Wilbanks. “This is a lot better feeling than last year for sure.”
The Lady Jackets jumped out to a 11-5 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter Starkville held Harrison Central to just two points as the Jackets held a 21-7 lead at halftime.
Starkville opened the second half on a 10-4 run to stretch their lead out to 31-11 and held a 31-16 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
An 8-2 run in the fourth quarter sealed the game for Starkville as the Jackets extended their lead to 39-18.
“We started a big lineup again for much of the first half, so we went to the zone which makes us long and we’ve preached defense all year and that’s something we’ve strived on,” Wilbanks said. “I can’t say enough things about Jada, she’s a special person and player. She’s led this team and she refused to let us lose tonight. This is a great feeling to finally win one.”
Southern Miss signee Jada Gay scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Starkville and was named the game’ most valuable. Zariah Brown added 12 points for Starkville.
“It hurt me losing this game last year, so tonight we were ready and we did a great job communicating on defense and that’s what carried us,” Gay said. “This means a lot because we weren’t losing this game and means a lot for it being my senior year, winning MVP, and carrying my team to the win.”
Parklyn Floyd had 11 points to lead Harrison Central. The Red Rebelettes finish the season 27-6.
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