Prater steps up game when Jackets needed

There's been many times this season that the Starkville Yellow Jackets had to make a second half comeback in order to get a big win, but last Saturday's game for a state championship was different.

In this game, the Yellow Jackets led by 19 points against Murrah and were up 21-4 at the end of the first quarter, but the Mustangs battled back and even took the lead in the second half. Coach Greg Carter needed senior point guard Forte Prater to calm his team and get things back on track.

“He was a stabilizing force, especially towards the end of the game when they stepped up their pressure,” Carter said of Prater. “They didn't double, they just played one-on-one and he had to make plays. Murrah out-played us in the second and third quarter, but Forte stepped up and did a lot handling that ball.”

Prater and Coltie Young led the charge

down the stretch to put SHS over the top and Prater was chosen the game's Most Valuable Player with 18 points. His work not only scoring the basketball, but with his leadership earned him OCH Regional Medical Center Player of the Week honors as well.

Truth be told, the Jacket guards weren't always playing at their best in the playoffs. Prater and Young weren't

as hot from the field against Clinton, but Prater came back against Olive Branch in the semifinals to provide the game-winning bucket.

There was no doubt in Carter's mind that his leader at the point was going to step up when it mattered the most. It helped Starkville advance to the state championship and it helped the Jackets ultimately win it. There was no doubt when it was all said and done that Prater left his mark on the SHS program.

“We struggled a little bit against

Clinton and didn't play our best game against Olive Branch,” Carter said. “We were just waiting for that breakout moment because we knew we were capable of. That Harrison Central game was our game to get back on track. Guards stepped back up and took over. Once we hit that game, it seemed like we hit stride again.

“He played really well late in the year. All year long, the bigger the game the better he played. He's so competitive."