From the notebook………..*January is here and now the gloves are off, no more holiday distractions. In just over three weeks post season tournaments get underway and pressure builds. District play has been ongoing for all teams with the exception of those in district 6AA who will fire things up next week. One of the most competitive districts in boy’s play looks to be 1AA. North Delta and West Memphis sit atop the standings at 3-1 while Marshall is just one game behind at 2-1 and those three teams all play each other next week.
*On the girl’s side Leake could very well run away with district 3AA. The top ranked Rebelettes have jumped out to a 4-0 mark in district play with Simpson just behind at 2-1. In district 1AA Kirk has raced out to a 17-1 overall record and a 4-0 district mark but the 3rd ranked Raiderettes may get some heat from a North Delta squad that is coming off big wins over Starkville, Magnolia Heights and Pillow.
*In AAA the Presbyterian boys let a golden opportunity slip by as Jackson Prep squeezed out a 51-49 win in Hattiesburg but they did make a statement that they belong in the top tier in their class along with Prep and MRA.
*Much of the talk in AAA girl’s play has been centered on East Rankin and Presbyterian but Jackson Academy, Washington and MRA are playing exceptionally well. None of those three have more than five losses on the season.
*Speaking of East Rankin and Presbyterian, I’ll be covering that game tonight if it’s not postponed and I’ve been warned that it will be standing room only in Hattiesburg. Katye Magee of PCS and Brooke Rhodes of ERA, arguably two of the best players in the MAIS, will face off in the first of two regular season matchups between the two.
*West Memphis guard David Robilio should begin getting lots of attention. The junior is averaging 22 points, 5 assists and 2 steals a game for the Black Knights who are ranked #8 with a 10-4 mark. Robilio is shooting 81% from the free throw line and has nailed 36 three-pointers on the season.
*Another player who really caught my eye last week was Brookhaven point guard Terah Winborne. The sophomore not only has the capability of putting up big numbers but she can flat out play defense. That was proven against East Rankin’s Brooke Rhodes last week in the finals of the Brookhaven Holiday Tourney. Winborne did a phenomenal job holding Rhodes to 10 points, just two in the second half.
*All our prayers should be with Dylan Pressgrove and Matthew Rymer of Trinity as they recover from an automobile accident, Callie Cole of Brookhaven who is home after three months in the hospital following an automobile accident and our Centreville friends who suffered the loss of 11th grader Emile Garrett in another automobile accident. Brodie LaFontaine was also injured and is at Field Memorial Community Hospital.
Quick notes……
*Did you know that the post season tournament format has changed this season? Only three teams will advance from each post season tournament instead of four. What that means is the third place game will now be an elimination game.
*Prairie View’s Mallory Hall has signed to play softball for Hinds Community College. The senior catcher has been assured a starting slot next season.
*The Columbia boy’s basketball team has four players averaging double figures in scoring this season.
*The Kirk Invitational basketball tournament began in 1971 and is the longest running in the MAIS.
*Brookhaven put on a great tournament last week that had a post season feel to it. Seven of the participating teams were ranked in the top five of AAA or AA polls. Their hospitality was great but I did receive some good natured ribbing about my pick to win the state title game in football.
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