2019 MHSAA State Tournament Report
Thanks to Chris Brooks and Greg Morgan for providing stats.
This report will cover the following games (18) or events: MHSAA 1A (Potts Camp, East Marion, Okolona, West Lowndes), MHSAA 4A (Gentry, Florence, Byhalia, Raymond), MHSAA 2A (Ingomar, North Forrest, Coahoma County, Bay Springs), MHSAA 5A (Center Hill, Hattiesburg, Olive Branch, Forest Hill), MHSAA 3A (Holly Springs, St. Andrew’s, Yazoo County, Velma Jackson) and MHSAA 6A (Tupelo, Meridian, Starkville, Brandon).
Monday March 4, 2019
MHSAA Boys Semifinal Round
From Mississippi Coliseum
Jackson, MS
1A
(B) East Marion Eagles 26-5 (1A Columbia, MS) 80
MS #44 1A #2
Potts Camp Cardinals 25-6 (1A Potts Camp, MS) 66
MS #61 1A #3
Notes: With John “Bill” Rawls (6-8 ’19 C East Marion) sitting most of the game with foul trouble, Vashon Sims (6-3 ’21 G East Marion) took the scoring duties. Sims scored at will and had a dunk of the tournament contender when he went baseline and slammed it home two-handed over a Potts Camp defender. Flenard McLin (5-11 ’19 G East Marion) refused to end his career early with a 22 point scoring game. Caleb Rawls (6-6 ’21 F East Marion) goes unnoticed by the average fan because he doesn’t have all the flash but he is one of the most consistent sophomores in the state. He silently sneaks up and produces a solid and steady game every single time he steps on the court. Your work is not going unnoticed by me. Speaking of sophomores going to work, when will Mitchell Saulsberry (6-5 ’21 F Potts Camp) start getting the attention he deserves? The three year starter and soon to be record holder of Potts Camp scoring and rebounding records is a BEAST. I keep hearing, “He’s too small, he’s not skilled enough” and so on. He flat out produces and gets results. Potts Camp got a taste of the Big House and that might give them the push they need to get back next year. Neither of these teams will make it back to compete for the 1A title because they are both moving up to 2A but with the talent they have returning, they will have a chance on the higher level.
Coach Jeremy Dillard interview
East Marion (traveled 87 miles) 80
’19’s
Flenard McLin 5-11 G 22 pts 10-16 fg 5 reb 2 ast 3 st
John “Bill” Rawls 6-8 C 7 pts 3-5 fg 3 reb 3 ast 2 blk
’20’s
Devin Daniels 5-8 G 6 pts 5 reb 2 ast 5 st
’21’s
Caleb Rawls 6-6 F 10 pts 9 reb 1 ast 2 blk
Lawrence Lambert 5-8 G 4 pts 6 reb 2 st
Potts Camp (traveled 192 miles) 66
’20’s
Martavious “Tay” Frost 6-3 F 13 pts 2 reb 2 ast 4 st
Kedavian Faulkner 5-8 G 13 pts 4 reb 1 st
Walter Hamilton 6-8 F 4 pts 8 reb 2 ast 4 blk 1 st
Jaquives “Nuk” Muse 5-8 G 7 pts 2 reb 1 ast 5 st
’21’s
Mitchell Saulsberry 6-5 F 25 pts (18 in 3rd qtr) 10-18 fg 20 reb 1 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Vashon Sims
East Marion
6-3 ’21 G
25 pts 10-12 fg 4 reb 2 ast 3 st
(B) Okolona Chieftains 29-2 (1A Okolona, MS) 65
MS #26 1A #1
West Lowndes Panthers 20-9 (1A Columbus, MS) 55
MS #111 1A #9
Notes: This game was all about Jacorrius “Tudy” Stanfield (5-8 ’19 G Okolona). He put the team on his back and carried them to the championship game. Every time I looked up it seemed like Dekylan Malone (5-9 ’19 G West Lowndes) for doing something for West Lowndes. He didn’t have the best stat line but he was all over the court. Darrel Brooks (5-10 ’23 G West Lowndes) had a good showing at the Big House. The junior high player looked calm and didn’t play like an eighth grader.
Okolona (traveled 174 miles) 65
’19’s
Jamal Moore 6-3 G 6 pts 8 reb 3 ast 1 blk
Jalen McFarland 6-1 F 7 pts 3 reb 1 blk
’20’s
Dontavious Doss 5-8 G 10 pts 6-7 ft 5 reb 3 st
’21’s
De’Arius Brown 5-10 G 8 pts 3 reb 2 ast 1 st
West Lowndes (traveled 149 miles) 55
’19’s
Dalen Rogers 6-3 SF 9 pts 3 reb 1 st
Jermaine Williams Jr. 6-3 F 2 pts 6 reb 4 ast 1 blk 1 st
Jalen Brewer 6-3 SF 14 pts 4 reb
Dekylan Malone 5-9 G 10 pts 2 reb 2 st
’20’s
Jherquaveus “Quay” Sanders 6-3 G 12 pts 4-5 fg 4-5 ft 8 reb 2 ast 1 st
’23’s
Darrel Brooks 5-10 G 5 pts 2 reb 1 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Jacorrius “Tudy” Stanfield
Okolona
5-8 ’19 G
30 pts 18-22 ft 10 reb 1 ast 3 st
4A
(B) Florence Eagles 25-6 (4A Florence, MS) 59
MS #7 4A #2
Gentry Rams 26-8 (4A Indianola, MS) 45
MS #22 4A #4
Notes: Jaylen Forbes (6-3 ’19 SG Florence) and Lerenzo “Trey” Fort (6-4 ’19 G Florence) had big enough games to offset the performances of Darrius “Chip” Clark (6-5 ’19 G/F Gentry) and Robert Bell (6-3 ’19 F Gentry). Florence never trailed in the game.
Jaylen Forbes and Trey Fort interview
Florence (traveled 14 miles) 59
’19’s
Wayne Lewis 6-2 G 11 pts 4-7 fg 5 reb 1 ast 3 st
Jacob Walker 6-3 G 3 pts 6 reb 1 blk 2 st
Jaylen Forbes 6-3 SG 21 pts 8-15 fg 7 reb 2 blk 3 st
’21’s
Devin Carter 6-0 PG 4 pts 1 reb 4 ast 1 st
Gentry (traveled 98 miles) 45
’19’s
Shamarvious Hodges 6-0 G 3 pts 4 reb 2 ast 3 st
Darrius “Chip” Clark 6-5 G/F 20 pts 7-12 fg 9 reb 1 ast 1 blk 2 st
Robert Bell 6-3 F 12 pts 13 reb 1 ast 3 blk 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Lerenzo “Trey” Fort
Florence
6-4 ’19 G
19 pts 7-10 fg 4-4 ft 3 reb 3 ast 3 st
(B) Raymond Rangers 28-5 (4A Raymond, MS) 72
MS #5 4A #1
Byhalia Indians 20-10 (4A Byhalia, MS) 58
MS #35 4A #7
Notes: Raymond jumped out and never looked back to advance to the 4A state championship game.
Raymond (traveled 20 miles) 72
’19’s
DeTrevian Broome 6-0 G 8 pts 4-6 fg 8 reb 2 ast 3 st
Tradavis Thompson 6-1 G 9 pts 2 reb 4 ast 2 st
Kenjuan Davis 5-11 G 7 pts 3 reb 1 ast
’20’s
Jordan Marshall 6-1 G 8 pts 2 reb 2 ast 2 blk 1 st
Martavin McWilliams 6-3 G 9 pts 4-5 fg 1 ast 2 st
’22’s
Tremaine Dixon 5-8 G 5 pts 3 reb 2 ast 1 st
Byhalia (traveled 206 miles) 58
’19’s
Jerrell Brounson 6-2 PG 1 pt 5 reb 2 ast 2 st
Kavonte Tunstall 6-4 G/F 15 pts 9 reb 2 blk 2 st
Antwon Porter 6-6 G/F 7 pts 6 reb 3 ast
’20’s
Ra’Mond Tuggles 6-3 G/F 12 pts 5-5 ft 4 reb
Demetrius Jones 5-7 G 13 pts 1 reb 1 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Jakorie Smith
Raymond
6-6 ’19 F
17 pts 7-10 fg 7 reb 1 ast 1 blk 1 st
Tuesday March 5, 2019
MHSAA Boys Semifinal Round
From Mississippi Coliseum
Jackson, MS
2A
(B) Ingomar Falcons 34-4 (2A New Albany, MS) 36
MS #31 2A #3
North Forrest Eagles 25-5 (2A Hattiesburg, MS) 31
MS #50 2A #4
Notes: Ingomar played Ingomar basketball and kept it a low scoring game to advance to the Championship Game.
Coach Jonathan Ashley interview
Kelon Hall and Trent Bradley interview
Ingomar (traveled 192 miles) 36
’20’s
Clayton Stanford 6-1 F 8 pts 6 reb
North Forrest (traveled 86 miles) 31
’19’s
Xzavier Barnes 6-2 SG 7 pts 6 reb
Leon Jones 6-4 F 6 pts 3-5 fg 8 reb 2 blk
’20’s
Cleveland Williams 6-1 G 10 pts 1 reb 1 ast
’21’s
Joseph “Joe” Holloway 6-3 PF 5 pts 4 reb 1 blk 4 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Zach Shugars
Ingomar
6-1 ’21 F
10 pts 3-5 fg 7 reb 2 ast 1 st
(B) Bay Springs Bulldogs 30-3 (2A Bay Springs, MS) 54
MS #20 2A #1
Coahoma County Red Panthers 29-3 (2A Clarksdale, MS) 52
MS #21 2A #2
Notes: Here’s a weird statement. Ingomar beat Coahoma County. Ok, they didn’t actually step on the court and beat them but they won the game before which turned the intensity up of Bay Springs. Damien Wheaton (6-8 ’19 F/C Bay Springs) was a beast on the defensive end and earned Player of the Game honors. He only had 7 blocked shots but it seemed more like 17. If he didn’t get the block, he changed the shot. He owned the paint and the boards. Kevin Grimes (6-3 ’19 G Bay Springs) took over on the offensive end. Jai’Sheldon Yates (6-5 ’21 C Coahoma County) continued to have big games at the Big House. I’m sure he’ll have plenty more big games in the state tournament.
Bay Springs (traveled 65 miles) 54
’19’s
Zach Whitlock 5-10 G 6 pts 3-5 fg 3 reb 2 ast 1 st
Kevin Grimes 6-3 G 20 pts 7-12 fg 6 reb 1 ast 1 blk
JaCorrieous Moore 6-2 G 9 pts 7 reb 1 ast 2 st
’20’s
Anthony Wheaton 5-9 PG 11 pts 4 reb 2 ast 1 st
Coahoma County (traveled 157 miles) 52
’19’s
Markevious Phillips 6-4 G 14 pts 3 reb 2 blk 3 st
Alshun Ross 6-3 G/F 10 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 st
’20’s
Bentavious Galmore 5-9 G 10 pts 7 reb 2 ast 2 st
’21’s
Jai’Sheldon Yates 6-5 C 15 pts 7-13 fg 13 reb
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Damien Wheaton
Bay Springs
6-8 ’19 F/C
4 pts 12 reb 2 ast 7 blk
5A
(B) Center Hill Mustangs 30-3 (5A Olive Branch, MS) 73
MS #4 5A #2
Hattiesburg Tigers 24-9 (5A Hattiesburg, MS) 69
MS #13 5A #5
Notes: Calvin Temple (6-1 ’19 PG Center Hill) nearly had a 30 piece in the win for Center Hill. Hattiesburg will be in great shape next year with Christopher “Chris” Lewis (6-2 ’20 G Hattiesburg), Nick Walker (6-5 ’20 F Hattiesburg) and Cameron Brown (6-4 ’20 G Hattiesburg returning.
Center Hill (traveled 208 miles) 73
’19’s
Kevin Henry 6-2 G 8 pts 4 reb 2 ast
Kenneth Lewis 6-0 G 14 pts 2 reb 1 ast
’20’s
Decorian Payton 6-5 F/C 10 pts 4-6 fg 5 reb 1 st
’21’s
Kaeden Laws 6-5 G/F 12 pts 5-9 fg 11 reb 1 ast 2 blk 1 st
Hattiesburg (traveled 90 miles) 69
’20’s
Christopher “Chris” Lewis 6-2 G 19 pts 7-11 fg 10 reb 3 ast 2 blk
Nick Walker 6-5 F 15 pts 7-10 fg 16 reb 1 blk
Cameron Brown 6-4 G 13 pts 5-6 ft 2 reb 1 ast 1 blk 1 st
Jayden Harrell 6-0 G 12 pts 4 3’s 3 reb 2 ast
’21’s
Alex Jordan 6-0 G 5 pts 3 reb 4 ast 2 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Calvin Temple
Center Hill
6-1 ’19 PG
28 pts 11-13 ft 3 reb 3 ast 6 st
(B) Olive Branch Conquistadors 26-7 (5A Olive Branch, MS) 86
MS #3 5A #1
Forest Hill Patriots 24-8 (5A Jackson, MS) 60
MS #9 5A #4
Notes: DJ Jeffries (6-8 ’19 G Olive Branch) and Joee Cooper (6-0 ’19 PG Olive Branch) combined to go 21 of 22 from the free-throw line in the win. Olive Branch took the early lead and never looked back to make it to the Championship game. Marc “Ken” Evans Jr. (6-4 ’19 G Forest Hill) had a huge game in the loss. He’s one of the best and most overlooked guards in the state and he’s one I’m going to miss watching play.
Olive Branch (traveled 202 miles) 86
’19’s
Josh Stevenson 6-3 G 8 pts 3-5 fg 5 reb 1 ast 3 st
Joee Cooper 6-0 PG 21 pts 11-12 ft 2 reb 3 ast 1 st
’20’s
Cameron “Mook” Matthews 6-6 F 12 pts 5-6 fg 3 reb 3 ast 1 st
Wes Taylor 6-0 G 7 pts 3 reb 3 ast
Forest Hill (traveled 11 miles) 60
’19’s
Marc “Ken” Evans Jr. 6-4 G 24 pts 8-12 fg 6 reb 5 ast 1 blk 3 st
’20’s
Tre’Vion Bass 6-3 F 10 pts 5-8 fg 4 reb 2 ast 1 st
Keondre “Dre” Montgomery 6-7 G/F 14 pts 5-8 fg 5 reb
’22’s
George Marshall 6-0 G 8 pts 3-4 fg 1 reb 2 ast 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
DJ Jeffries
Olive Branch
6-8 ’19 G
18 pts 10-10 ft 6 reb 1 ast 1 st
Wednesday March 6, 2019
MHSAA Boys Semifinal Round
From Mississippi Coliseum
Jackson, MS
3A
(B) Holly Springs Hawks 23-9 (3A Holly Springs, MS) 67
MS #29 3A #3
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Saints 22-11 (3A Ridgeland, MS) 64
MS #65 3A #6
Notes: Derek Fountain (6-8 ’20 G Holly Springs) had the best game I’ve ever seen him play. His mid-range was automatic and he was getting any shot he wanted. He carried the team for the first three quarters and Cori Bell (6-1 ’20 G Holly Springs) put the team on his back in the fourth. He scored 13 points in that last frame to help get the win. Dylan King (6-2 ’21 G/F Holly Springs) scored the basket and got the and-one with 11 seconds remaining for the 66-64 lead. King continues to grab my eye with his play and potential on the court. Rashad Bolden (5-11 ’21 PG St. Andrew’s) continues to improve every time I see him. He looked so smooth on the court. St. Andrew’s also won the best fans/student section award. They really brought it.
Coach Sylvester Kilgore interview
Holly Springs (traveled 189 miles) 67
’20’s
Tyhem Reaves 6-1 G 6 pts 3 reb 2 ast 1 blk 1 st
Derek Fountain 6-8 G 23 pts 9-13 fg 5 reb 1 st
’21’s
Dylan King 6-2 G/F 12 pts 3-4 fg 6-8 ft 2 reb 1 st
St. Andrew’s (traveled 11 miles) 64
’19’s
William Harkless 6-2 G 11 pts 4-7 fg 3 reb
’20’s
Arness Georgetown 6-4 PF 8 pts 4-4 ft 9 reb
Noel Wiggs 6-3 C 7 pts 3-4 fg 9 reb 1 ast 1 st
’21’s
Rashad Bolden 5-11 PG 32 pts 10-18 fg 3 3’s 9-9 ft 8 reb 5 ast 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Cori Bell
Holly Springs
6-1 ’20 G
17 pts (13 in 4th qtr) 13-13 ft 2 reb 3 ast 1 st
(B) Velma Jackson Falcons 24-6 (3A Camden, MS) 72
MS #14 3A #1
Yazoo County Panthers 30-1 (3A Yazoo City, MS) 61
MS #16 3A #2
Notes: Josh Lee (6-2 ’21 G Velma Jackson) took over to help Velma Jackson get back to the Championship game. Yazoo County had unfortunate circumstances with Emon Washington (6-6 ’20 F Yazoo County) going down with an injury and missing half the game. Kejuan Frierson (5-5 ’21 G Yazoo County) stepped up and got everybody’s attention with his play. He plays with heart and hustle. His hard played allowed him to get plenty of shots off to lead the team in scoring.
Velma Jackson (traveled 46 miles) 72
’20’s
Mason Riley 5-11 PG 12 pts 10-12 ft 5 reb 1 ast 3 st
Charlie Jones 6-3 F 13 pts 10 reb 2 ast
’21’s
Jordan Harvey 6-3 SF 14 pts 5-8 fg 4-5 ft 4 reb 2 ast 1 blk 1 st
Yazoo County (traveled 45 miles) 61
’20’s
Martarious “Marty” Burrell 6-1 G 8 pts 1 reb 1 ast
Emon Washington 6-6 F 15 pts 6-8 fg 8 reb 1 ast 1 blk
John Lewis 5-10 G 9 pts 3-4 fg 1 reb 1 st
’21’s
Kejuan Frierson 5-5 G 23 pts 8-14 fg 4 3’s 6 reb 2 ast 2 st
Lakevon Dixon 6-2 G/F 6 pts 3 reb 1 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Josh Lee
Velma Jackson
6-2 ’21 G
25 pts 8-15 fg 3 3’s 6-8 ft 5 reb
6A
(B) Meridian Wildcats 26-4 (6A Meridian, MS) 64
MS #1 6A #1
Tupelo Golden Wave 22-11 (6A Tupelo, MS) 43
MS #27 6A #11
Notes: Makeem Roberts (6-1 ’20 G Meridian) was impressive as he stepped up to lead Meridian to the finals. Jarvis Campbell (6-0 ’20 SG Meridian) pitched in a solid game. Josh Mitchell (6-7 ’20 F Tupelo) showed why he is one of the best junior bigs in the state with his shot blocking.
Meridian (traveled 94 miles) 64
’19’s
Traemond Pittman 6-0 PG 4 pts 7 reb 2 ast 1 blk 1 st
Vontrell Pringle 6-6 G/F 9 pts 12 reb 1 ast 2 blk 3 st
’20’s
Kyler Yarbrough 6-0 G 7 pts 4 reb 1 ast 1 st
Jarvis Campbell 6-0 SG 16 pts 5-8 fg 3 reb
Tupelo (traveled 185 miles) 43
’19’s
Fabian Perry 6-3 F 6 pts 4 reb 2 st
Anthony Nichols 6-2 F 8 pts 6 reb
’20’s
Mason Gary 5-11 G 6 pts 2 reb 2 st
Josh Mitchell 6-7 F 11 pts 10 reb 4 blk
’21’s
Keondre Hampton 5-9 PG 8 pts 3-5 fg 2 ast 2 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Makeem Roberts
Meridian
6-1 ’20 G
20 pts 7-10 fg 4 reb 2 ast 2 blk 1 st
(B) Starkville Yellow Jackets 26-1 (6A Starkville, MS) 64
MS #2 6A #2
Brandon Bulldogs 27-6 (6A Brandon, MS) 61
MS #10 6A #4
Notes: Tyler Talley (5-8 ’19 G Starkville) stepped up to knock down the free-throws at the end to advance Starkville to the finals. Zeke Cook (6-3 ’20 F Starkville) had a monster game nearly pulling off a 20-20 performance. Atavius “Tank” Jones (6-3 ’19 C Starkville) played solid down low in the win.
Starkville (traveled 125 miles) 64
’19’s
Jamarrion Brown 5-10 G 4 pts 3 reb 3 ast
Atavius “Tank” Jones 6-3 C 12 pts 10 reb 1 ast 2 blk 1 st
’20’s
Zeke Cook 6-3 F 19 pts 18 reb 2 blk 2 st
’21’s
Jarmarvious Phillips 6-2 F 8 pts 3-4 fg 4 reb 1 blk
Brandon (traveled 16 miles) 61
’19’s
Tyree Cochran 5-9 G 19 pts 3 3’s 5 reb 1 ast 1 st
Jacquez Jackson 6-3 F 12 pts 3-5 fg 6-6 ft 7 reb 1 blk
’20’s
JaQuevias Tarvin 6-3 G 10 pts 5 reb 3 ast
Willie Miller 6-2 F 17 pts 4 reb 2 blk
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Tyler Talley
Starkville
5-8 ’19 G
10 pts 6-8 ft 3 reb
Thursday March 7, 2019
MHSAA Boys State Championship
From Mississippi Coliseum
Jackson, MS
1A
(B) East Marion Eagles 27-5 (1A Columbia, MS) 58
MS #44 1A #2
Okolona Chieftains 29-3 (1A Okolona, MS) 53
MS #26 1A #1
Notes: East Marion only led for 1 minute and 32 seconds during the game but it’s that last second of the game that counts. Caleb Rawls (6-6 ’21 F East Marion) was huge for the Eagles in the winding seconds of the game. Flenard McLin (5-11 ’19 G East Marion) dropped his second 20 piece at the Big House to lead East Marion to victory.
East Marion (traveled 87 miles) 58
’19’s
John Rawls 6-8 C 11 pts 7 reb 1 ast 1 blk 3 st
’20’s
Devin Daniels 5-8 G 5 pts 2 reb 4 st
’21’s
Vashon Sims 6-3 G 10 pts 10 reb 2 ast 2 st
Okolona (traveled 174 miles) 53
’19’s
Jamal Moore 6-3 G 23 pts 10 reb 2 ast 2 blk 2 st
Jacorrius “Tudy” Stanfield 5-8 G 8 pts 3-5 fg 5 reb 5 ast 4 st
Jalen McFarland 6-1 F 10 pts 4-6 fg 7 reb
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Caleb Rawls
East Marion
6-6 ’21 F
12 pts 7-8 ft 8 reb 1 ast 2 blk
C-Spire Player of the Game
Flenard McLin
East Marion
5-11 ’19 G
20 pts 8-15 fg 3 3’s 3 reb 1 st
C-Spire Scholar Athlete
Tre Harvey
Okolona
6-0 ’19 G
Congrats to the 1A State Champs
Coach Calvin Brown
and the
East Marion Eagles
4A
(B) Raymond Rangers 29-5 (4A Raymond, MS) 77
MS #5 4A #1
Florence Eagles 25-7 (4A Florence, MS) 62
MS #7 4A #2
Notes: Jakorie Smith (6-6 ’19 F Raymond) took an early exit with foul trouble but he did enough during the course of the game to help Raymond win it’s third championship in a row. Tradavis Thompson (6-1 ’19 G Raymond) stepped up big down the stretch to help guide the team to the victory with Smith on the bench. Raymond got all the way to a 24 point lead with 6:38 left in the fourth. Then one of the most legendary performances in state championship history happened. Jaylen Forbes (6-3 ’19 SG Florence) showed up with 23 points in the fourth quarter. He single-handedly turned the game into a 4 point deficit before Raymond kept the ball out of his hands. His performance will be talked about for many years to come with the “remember whens of the Big House.” Coach Tony Tadlock has two years of head coaching under his belt with two gold balls to show for it. Surely Raymond will not have what it takes to make it back next year and compete for another one, or will they?
Raymond (traveled 20 miles) 77
’19’s
Tradavis Thompson 6-1 G 6 pts 6-6 ft 3 reb 1 ast
Kenjuan Davis 5-11 G 12 pts 4-7 fg 6 reb 3 ast
Jacob Robinson 6-3 F 15 pts 7-10 fg 6 reb
’20’s
Jordan Marshall 6-1 G 12 pts 5-7 fg 1 reb 2 ast
Kearius Stimage 6-5 C 4 pts 6 reb 1 ast 2 blk
’22’s
Tremaine Dixon 5-8 G 4 pts 2 reb 3 ast 1 st
Florence (traveled 14 miles) 62
’19’s
Lerenzo “Trey” Fort 6-4 G 10 pts 7 reb 1 ast
Jaylen Forbes 6-3 SG 35 pts (23 in 4th qtr) 13-16 ft 8 reb 1 blk 2 st
’20’s
David Browning 6-0 F 5 pts 5 reb 1 blk
’21’s
Devin Carter 6-0 PG 8 pts 4-5 ft 4 reb 2 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Jakorie Smith
Raymond
6-6 ’19 F
20 pts 6-8 ft 9 reb 3 ast 2 st
C-Spire Player of the Game
Jakorie Smith
Raymond
6-6 ’19 F
20 pts 6-8 ft 9 reb 3 ast 2 st
C-Spire Scholar Athlete
Jaylon Johnson
Florence
6-4 ’19 F
Congrats to the 3-peat 4A State Champs
Coach Tony Tadlock
and the
Raymond Rangers
Friday March 8, 2019
MHSAA Boys State Championship
From Mississippi Coliseum
Jackson, MS
2A
(B) Bay Springs Bulldogs 31-3 (2A Bay Springs, MS) 56
MS #19 2A #1
Ingomar Falcons 34-5 (2A New Albany, MS) 51
MS #34 2A #3
Notes: Coach Corey Mackey had to go into this game with a couple of his dogs caged up so what did he do? He went with a young pup. That pup was Chad Jones (5-10 ’22 PG Bay Springs). Who? Chad Jones. Who? Chad Jones. He came out of nowhere and acted like that was his home turf. He played so smooth and cool with the ball. He had ice in his veins. At one point during the game, star player Kevin Grimes (6-3 ’19 G Bay Springs) was injured and there was a moment of the passing of the torch down to Jones. Grimes was barely able to finish the game with a very noticeable limp (or one legged hop). The defensive performance of Damien Wheaton (6-8 ’19 F/C Bay Springs) can’t be overlooked either. He probably had the best defensive tournament out of any player there. Watch for Ingomar to be a heavy favorite next year as they move back down to 1A.
Bay Springs (traveled 65 miles) 56
’19’s
Zach Whitlock 5-10 G 5 pts 2 reb 5 ast 3 st
Damien Wheaton 6-8 F/C 4 pts 8 reb 2 ast 9 blk 2 st
Ingomar (traveled 192 miles) 51
’19’s
Kelon Hall 6-0 G 3 pts 9 reb 1 blk 1 st
’20’s
Hunter Bynum 5-10 G 8 pts 1 reb 5 ast 1 st
Clayton Stanford 6-1 F 9 pts 7 reb
’21’s
Zach Shugars 6-1 F 12 pts 4 reb 1 ast 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Chad Jones
Bay Springs
5-10 ’22 PG
21 pts 3 3’s 8-10 ft 3 reb
C-Spire Player of the Game
Kevin Grimes
Bay Springs
6-3 ’19 G
20 pts 7-9 ft 7 reb 1 ast 1 st
C-Spire Scholar Athlete
Nathan Weeden
Ingomar
6-0 ’20 G
12 pts 5 reb 1 ast 1 st
Congrats to the 2A State Champs
Coach Corey Mackey
and the
Bay Springs Bulldogs
5A
(B) Center Hill Mustangs 31-3 (5A Olive Branch, MS) 75
MS #3 5A #1
Olive Branch Conquistadors 26-8 (5A Olive Branch, MS) 73
MS #4 5A #2
Notes: An instant classic from start to the roller coaster finish. De’Corian “DJ” Jeffries (6-8 ’19 G Olive Branch) ended his historic high school career with a huge late game performance. He almost ended it with a championship winning two-hand baseline slam with :28 seconds remaining. Then comes Kaeden Laws (6-5 ’21 SG Center Hill) into the picture with :16 seconds to go. He hit the game winning basket off an inbound play to give the Mustangs their first ever championship. Kenneth Lewis (6-0 ’19 G Center Hill) stepped up in the fourth quarter to help keep Center Hill in the game. Calvin Temple (6-1 ’19 PG Center Hill) earned Player of the Game honors with his overall play. He really showed the rest of the state how good he is during the state tournament.
Center Hill (traveled 208 miles) 75
’19’s
Kevin Henry 6-2 G 3 pts 5 reb 1 ast 2 st
Kenneth Lewis 6-0 G 16 pts 3 3’s 3 reb 1 ast 1 st
’20’s
Decorian “DeDe” Payton 6-5 F/C 14 pts 4-5 fg 8 reb
’21’s
Kaeden Laws 6-5 SG 13 pts 4-7 fg 4-4 ft 13 reb 1 blk 1 st
Olive Branch (traveled 202 miles) 73
’19’s
De’Corian “DJ” Jeffries 6-8 G 27 pts (15 in 4th qtr) 6-8 ft 13 reb 4 ast 1 blk 1 st
Josh Stevenson 6-3 G 12 pts 4-7 fg 9 reb 2 ast
Joee Cooper 6-0 PG 20 pts 3 3’s 7 reb 2 ast 2 st
Christopher “CJ” Owens 5-1 SG 10 pts 2 reb
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Calvin Temple
Center Hill
6-1 ’19 PG
24 pts (12 in 4th qtr) 14-17 ft 8 reb 3 ast
C-Spire Player of the Game
Calvin Temple
Center Hill
6-1 ’19 PG
24 pts (12 in 4th qtr) 14-17 ft 8 reb 3 ast
C-Spire Scholar Athlete
Cesar Gutierrez
Olive Branch
6-0 ’19 SG
Congrats to the 5A State Champs
Coach Newton Mealer
and the
Center Hill Mustangs
Saturday March 9, 2019
MHSAA Boys State Championship
From Mississippi Coliseum
Jackson, MS
3A
(B) Velma Jackson Falcons 25-6 (3A Camden, MS) 59
MS #11 3A #1
Holly Springs Hawks 23-10 (3A Holly Springs, MS) 44
MS #33 3A #3
Notes: Velma Jackson won it’s 5th state championship in seven years with a dominating win over Holly Springs. Holly Springs never led the entire game. Jordan Harvey (6-3 ’21 F Velma Jackson) had a monster game in the win. He couldn’t be kept off the boards. Velma Jackson didn’t have a senior on the team so they will be a a force to watch over the next few years.
Velma Jackson (traveled 46 miles) 59
’20’s
Levaeon Griffin 5-11 SG 12 pts 3-5 fg 5-6 ft 5 reb 1 ast 1 st
Charlie Jones 6-3 F 11 pts 8 reb
’21’s
Joshua “Josh” Lee 6-2 G 15 pts 3-3 ft 2 reb 2 ast
Holly Springs (traveled 189 miles) 44
’19’s
Deveon Miller 6-6 F 8 pts 11 reb 1 blk
’20’s
Tyhem Reaves 6-1 G 6 pts 1 reb 3 ast
Cori Bell 6-1 G 13 pts 5 reb 2 ast 3 st
Derek Fountain 6-8 G 9 pts 3 reb 1 st
’21’s
Dylan King 6-2 G/F 4 pts 6 reb 2 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Jordan Harvey
Velma Jackson
6-3 ’21 F
12 pts 18 reb 2 blk 2 st
C-Spire Player of the Game
Jordan Harvey
Velma Jackson
6-3 ’21 F
12 pts 18 reb 2 blk 2 st
C-Spire Scholar Athlete
Mason Riley
Velma Jackson
5-11 ’20 PG
5 pts 6 reb 4 ast 1 st
Congrats to the 3A State Champs
Coach Chris Love
and the
Velma Jackson Falcons
6A
(B) Starkville Yellow Jackets 30-1 (6A Starkville, MS) 61
MS #1 6A #1
Meridian Wildcats 26-5 (6A Meridian, MS) 46
MS #2 6A #2
Notes: Zeke Cook (6-3 ’20 F Starkville) continued his dominance in the state tournament to help lead Starkville to another state championship.
Starkville (traveled 125 miles) 61
’19’s
Tyler Talley 5-8 G 12 pts 4 reb 1 ast 2 st
Terry Tate 5-8 G 5 pts 2 ast 3 st
Atavius ‘Tank” Jones 6-3 C 11 pts 4-5 fg 9 reb 3 ast 1 blk 2 st
’21’s
Jarmarvious Phillips 6-2 F 7 pts 4 reb 1 ast 1 blk 1 st
Meridian (traveled 94 miles) 46
’19’s
Traemond Pittman 6-0 PG 13 pts 5-6 ft 8 reb 2 ast
Vontrell Pringle 6-6 G/F 11 pts 3 3’s 4 reb 1 ast 2 blk 2 st
’20’s
Makeem Roberts 6-1 G 11 pts 3 reb 1 ast 2 blk 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Zeke Cook
Starkville
6-3 ’20 F
15 pts 9-12 ft 9 reb 1 ast 1 st
C-Spire Player of the Game
Zeke Cook
Starkville
6-3 ’20 F
15 pts 9-12 ft 9 reb 1 ast 1 st
C-Spire Scholar Athlete
Trey Jackson
Starkville
6-2 ’20 G
5 pts 1 reb 1 ast
Congrats to the 6A State Champs
Coach Greg Carter
and the
Starkville Yellow Jackets
MHSAA State Tournament Averages
Minimum 2 games
Starkville
Tyler Talley 5-8 ’19 G 11 ppg 4 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
Zeke Cook 6-3 ’20 F 17 ppg 14 rpg 1 apg 1 bpg 2 spg
Jarmarvious Phillips 6-2 ’21 F 8 ppg 5-9 fg 5-6 ft 4 rpg 1 apg 1 bpg 1 spg
Atavius “Tank” Jones 6-3 ’19 C 12 ppg 9-15 fg 10 rpg 2 apg 2 bpg 2 spg
Jamarrion Brown 5-10 ’19 G 3 ppg 3-3 ft 4 rpg 2 apg 1 spg
Meridian
Traemond Pittman 6-0 ’19 G 9 ppg 5-6 ft 8 rpg 2 apg 1 bpg 1 spg
Makeem Roberts 6-1 ’20 G 16 ppg 11-18 fg 3 3’s 6-8 ft 4 rpg 2 apg 2 bpg 1 spg
Vontrell Pringle 6-6 ’19 G/F 10 ppg 4 3’s 8 rpg 1 apg 2 bpg 3 spg
Kyler Yarbrough 6-0 ’20 G 6 ppg 2 3’s 3 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
Jarvis Campbell 5-10 ’20 G 8 ppg 2 3’s 2 rpg
Center Hill
Decorian “DeDe’ Payton 6-5 ’20 F 12 ppg 8-11 fg 7 rpg 1 spg
Kevin Henry 6-2 ’19 G 6 ppg 4-7 fg 5 rpg 2 apg 1 spg
Calvin Temple 6-1 ’19 PG 26 ppg 1 3’s 25-30 ft 6 rpg 3 apg 3 spg
Kenneth Lewis 6-0 ’19 G 15 ppg 5 3’s 3 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
Kaeden Laws 6-5 ’21 SG 13 ppg 9-16 fg 2 3’s 5-6 ft 12 rpg 1 apg 2 bpg 1 spg
Olive Branch
DJ Jeffries 6-8 ’19 G 23 ppg 1 3’s 16-18 ft 10 rpg 3 apg 1 bpg 1 spg
Josh Stevenson 6-3 ’19 G 10 ppg 7-12 fg 7 rpg 2 apg 2 spg
Joee Cooper 6-0 ’19 PG 21 ppg 3 3’s 12-14 ft 5 rpg 3 apg 2 spg
Cameron “Mook” Matthews 6-6 ’20 F 7 ppg 6-10 fg 3 rpg 2 apg 1 bpg 2 spg
Wes Taylor 5-11 ’20 G 5 ppg 3-4 ft 3 rpg 2 apg 1 spg
CJ Owens 5-11 ’19 SG 7 ppg 2 3’s 5-6 ft 2 rpg 1 apg
Raymond
DeTrevian Broome 6-0 ’19 G 6 ppg 4-7 fg 5 rpg 2 apg 2 spg
Tradavis Thompson 6-1 ’19 G 8 ppg 2 3’s 7-8 ft 3 rpg 3 apg 1 spg
Kenjuan Davis 5-11 ’19 G 10 ppg 3 3’s 2-2 ft 5 rpg 2 apg
Jacob Robinson 6-2 ’19 F 9 ppg 8-13 fg 4 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
Jakorie Smith 6-6 ’19 F 19 ppg 13-24 fg 4 3’s 8 rpg 2 apg 1 bpg 2 spg
Jordan Marshall 6-1 ’20 G 10 ppg 8-13 fg 1 3’s 2 rpg 2 apg 1 bpg 1 spg
Tremaine Dixon 5-8 ’22 G 5 ppg 2 3’s 3 rpg 3 apg 1 spg
Kearius Stimage 6-5 ’20 C 4 ppg 4 rpg 1 apg 2 bpg 1 spg
Florence
Devin Carter 5-10 ’21 PG 6 ppg 3 rpg 2 apg 2 spg
Lerenzo “Trey” Fort 6-4 ’19 G 15 ppg 1 3’s 5 rpg 2 apg 2 spg
Wayne Lewis 6-2 ’19 G 8 ppg 7-9 ft 3 rpg 1 apg 1 bpg 3 spg
Jaylen Forbes 6-3 ’19 SG 28 ppg 4 3’s 8 rpg 2 bpg 3 spg
Velma Jackson
Joshua “Josh” Lee 6-2 ’21 G 20 ppg 5 3’s 9-11 ft 4 rpg 1 apg
Mason Riley 5-10 ’20 G 9 ppg 13-17 ft6 rpg 3 apg 2 spg
Levaeon Griffin 5-11 ’20 G 7 ppg 1 3’s 5-6 ft 5 rpg 1 apg 2 spg
Charlie Jones 6-2 ’20 F 12 ppg 9 rpg 1 apg
Jordan Harvey 6-3 ’21 F 13 ppg 11 rpg 1 apg 2 bpg 2 spg
Holly Springs
Tyhem Reaves 6-1 ’20 G 6 ppg 4 3’s 2 rpg 3 apg 1 bpg 1 spg
Cori Bell 6-1 ’20 G 15 ppg 20-25 ft 4 rpg 3 apg 2 spg
Derek Fountain 6-8 ’20 G 16 ppg 12-23 fg 1 3’s 4 rpg 1 spg
Deveon Miller 6-6 ’19 F 6 ppg 7 rpg 1 bpg
Dylan King 6-2 ’21 F 8 ppg 5-9 fg 6-8 ft 4 rpg 2 spg
Bay Springs
Zach Whitlock 5-10 ’19 G 6 ppg 5-9 fg 3 rpg 4 apg 2 spg
Kevin Grimes 6-3 ’19 G 20 ppg 3 3’s 7 rpg 1 apg 1 bpg 1 spg
Daylan Lindsey 6-3 ’20 F 3 ppg 5 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
Damien Wheaton 6-8 ’19 F/C 6 ppg 10 rpg 2 apg 8 bpg 1 spg
Chad Jones 5-10 ’22 G 10 ppg 3 3’s 8-10 ft 2 rpg
Anthony Wheaton 5-9 ’20 G 6 ppg 3-4 ft 2 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
JaCorrieous Moore 6-2 ’19 G 5 ppg 4 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
Ingomar
Hunter Bynum 5-10 ’20 G 5 ppg 6-8 ft 2 rpg 4 apg 2 spg
Kelon Hall 6-0 ’19 G 3 ppg 1 3’s 5 rpg 1 apg 2 bpg 1 spg
Clayton Stanford 6-1 ’20 F 9 ppg 7 rpg
Zach Shugars 6-1 ’21 F 11 ppg 6 rpg 2 apg 1 spg
Nathan Weeden 6-0 ’20 SG 10 ppg 8-15 fg 4 3’s 6 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
East Marion
Devin Daniels 5-8 ’20 G 6 ppg 4 rpg 1 apg 5 spg
Vashon Sims 6-3 ’21 G 18 ppg 14-21 fg 2 3’s 7 rpg 2 apg 3 spg
Flenard McLin 5-11 ’19 G 21 ppg 18-31 fg 3 3’s 4 rpg 1 apg 2 spg
Caleb Rawls 6-6 ’21 F 11 ppg 1 3’s 7-8 ft 9 rpg 1 apg 2 bpg
John “Bill” Rawls 6-8 ’19 C 9 ppg 6-11 fg 5 rpg 2 apg 2 bpg 2 spg
Okolona
Dontavious Doss 5-8 ’20 G 7 ppg 9-11 ft 4 rpg 3 spg
Jamal Moore 6-3 ’19 G 15 ppg 9 rpg 3 apg 2 bpg 1 spg
Jacorrius “Tudy” Stanfield 5-8 ’19 G 19 ppg 20-24 ft 8 rpg 3 apg 4 spg
Jalen McFarland 6-1 ’19 C 9 ppg 6-11 fg 5 rpg 1 bpg
Dearius Brown 5-10 ’21 G 7 ppg 3 3’s 3 rpg 1 apg 1 spg
Magnolia Hoops Best Game
The best game that I saw during this time period.
Center Hill 75
Olive Branch 73
Magnolia Hoops Head of the Class
The best players in their respective classes that I saw during this time period based on stats.
2019: DJ Jeffries
6-8 G Olive Branch
2020: Zeke Cook
6-3 F Starkville
2021: Mitchell Saulsberry
6-5 F Potts Camp
2022: Chad Jones
5-10 PG Bay Springs
2023: Darrel Brooks
5-10 G West Lowndes
Magnolia Hoops Starting 5
The top five players that I saw during this time period based on stats.
Magnolia Hoops 