Miss Elite’s success in Las Vegas means title comes to Stark-Vegas
Starkville's Mississippi Elite AAU girls basketball team was going to make sure a desired championship in Las Vegas didn't stay in Las Vegas.
Mississippi Elite competed at the 2017 Las Vegas Girls Showcase in the 11th grade National Division on July 10-12.
The Starkville-based squad, coached by John and Travis Outlaw and
Quvarius Howard, was in the mix of teams from Texas, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and others from the West Coast.
After finishing first in pool play with wins over Wisconsin City and Albuquerque Lady Heat Elite, Mississippi Elite moved on to championship bracket play.
Mississippi Elite defeated BullDawgs Black from San Francisco in the first round, then went on to knock off Arizona Premier in the second round and beat AirForce One of Minnesota to claim the title.
“They came out and played,” John Outlaw said. “I told them they made a lasting impression on a lot of people over there. They were all over the place. The thing I was most proud of was our defense. They got out in the passing lanes and I think that turned it around from what we did in Kentucky.”
Prior to the Las Vegas trip, Mississippi Elite participated at the NCAA certified, TFN's Run for the Roses Basketball Classic 17U held in Louisville, Kentucky.
After finishing second out of five teams in pool play, Mississippi Elite was able to win one game in the championship round before falling one game short of playing for first place.
The disappointment of not winning the Kentucky event could have lingered for Mississippi Elite, but it got back in travel mode, left Kentucky and headed to Memphis, Tennessee, to catch a 6:35 a.m. flight for Las Vegas.
“We didn't have such a good showing in Kentucky,” John said. “Even though we were a game away from getting to the championship, we were just not as sharp. I don't know if it was the travel to Kentucky or what, but in the Las Vegas tournament, they completely turned it around.”
While in Las Vegas, Mississippi Elite turned heads, but two particular players caught the eye of college coaches. Long Beach State asked about Kirsten Thompson and San Diego State asked about Jariyah Covington. Both are members of Starkville High School's girls team.
“I was proud especially for coaches to ask about them,” John said.
The other members of Mississippi Elite are Alexandra Gray, Brysa Maxwell, Idalis Suell, Donsha Lee, Sukkima Suell, Jalisa Outlaw and Carly Evans.
The team, coaches, families and fans are thankful for the support received during the championship run.
The gold medal sponsors were the Outlaw family (Travis, John and Mr. and Mrs. John Outlaw Sr. while the silver medal sponsors were Donald Lee and Josh Boyd, and the silver medal sponsors was Spruill Property Management LLC.
Donations came from Diamond Grove Center and supporters were Brewskies, Advanced Auto, MS Elite Concert Participants, Car Wash Customers and all donations on behalf of MS Elite parents, families and friends.