Final Four Friday, it's here
Southern Sports & Travel
Sleepless nights, game planning, watching film and insuring players are focused on the task at hand is just a normal job description for an MAIS basketball coach during state tournament week. The pressure of being prepared and knowing the ins and outs of opposing teams is not compatible with those coaches with little experience and the stress can overwhelm them.
Players with injuries or illnesses are to be treated and prepared for the two day grind that is Final Four Friday and Championship Saturday. Expectations are high as parents, relatives, friends and school supporters converge on the designated host school where the hardware will be handed out and the name of a school will be etched into the MAIS record book of state champions.
The trend of parity has become the norm as of late due to the end of three historic runs. MRA's six Overall Championships in seven years was halted by Jackson Prep two season ago and Brookhaven boys had won seven state titles in eight years before Marshall reeled off three straight titles of their own. Leake's girls had their record breaking seven consecutive state championships run ended by Bowling Green last season.
Two tournaments that bare extra attention are the Class A boys and Class AAA girls tournaments.
In Class A the semi-finals expectations were turned upside down last night as Claiborne upset Marshall 76-73 after being down by 18 points in the second half. While it was a shocker, it did validate the quality of basketball in boys Class A as being exceptional this season.
Joining Claiborne in today's semi-finals are three squads that can compete with anyone. Top ranked Cenla, who came up one basket short in a 74-72 overtime loss to Porter's Chapel in last season's state title matchup, handed then top ranked and undefeated Trinity their first loss of the season last week and will be a tough challenge for a Claiborne squad fresh off their upset of Marshall. The stars seem to be lining up for Cenla.
West Memphis will get their first look at Trinity tonight but the Black Knights will do so missing one of their better players. Trinity's lack of depth could be the equalizer that provides a thrilling fast paced contest.
The Class AAA State Tournament being held at MRA will showcase the two time defending Overall Champion Starkville Lady Vols who are seeking to do what no other team has done since 1988, win three straight Class AAA titles.
Starkville will have an uphill climb as they face a familiar foe in the second ranked Presbyterian Lady Bobcats. Presbyterian is still stinging following last Saturday's bitter 42-39 loss to MRA in the Class AAA Division-I championship game and many have the feeling that loss could be the giddy-up Presbyterian needs heading into today's game.
Top ranked MRA is a tough out at home and Jackson Academy gets the honor of attempting to oust the 33-2 Lady Patriots this afternoon.
Should both MRA and Presbyterian prevail today the setting tomorrow will be electric.
In Class A girls the Veritas Lady Lions seem indestructible in their quest for the school's first ever state championship but the road gets tougher as they must go through a solid Carroll squad before taking on the winner of defending state champion Claiborne and Hebron. Of the four teams in today's semi-finals Claiborne is by far the most experienced in high pressure tourney play and that could pay big dividends.
Class AA boys was turned upside down on Wednesday night when Hartfield shocked top ranked Leake and eliminated them from the tournament. I had shared with several individuals that Hartfield would be a tough out for any opponent but admittedly I was shocked at the result against a Leake squad that seemed destined to advance to Saturday's championship round.
Hartfield will draw third ranked Adams Christian tonight and it will be a low scoring contest. Adams bested Hartfield 52-49 exactly one week ago and points tonight could come at a premium. Adams head coach Richy Spears is one of the best defensive coaches in the MAIS in holding opponents under 50 points.
The winner will get either Simpson or Brookhaven. The trend seems to be swaying Simpson's direction following their South State Championship last week. Second ranked Simpson defeated Brookhaven 42-35 last week and is coming off consecutive blowout wins over Adams and River Oaks. That indicates they are gelling at the most critical time.
Big "Shout Out" to Coach David Horner at Jackson Prep and the job he has done. The Patriots have gotten better as the season progressed but the collision course between Jackson Academy and MRA is going to happen.
MRA looked unbeatable for much of the season but losing Clinton Moses has evened the playing field a bit. This looks like Jackson Academy's best shot at their first state title since 2004.
Incredibly Jackson Academy and MRA have already gone head to head four times this season with MRA winning the first three meetings and the Raiders blowing out the Patriots 64-48 last Saturday.
Class AA girls will come down to the trilogy between defending champion Bowling Green and top ranked Leake. The two have met in the title game two consecutive seasons and while Kirk and Brookhaven have played exceptional basketball as of late, the collision is going to happen.
The time is here. Game day preparations are being taken care of and stomachs are churning leading up to tip time.
While football may be king, basketball draws the highest volume of visitors to Southern Sports & Travel each season.
Lets lace em up and roll!
