Lady Jackets bounce back after tough loss
It’s something that the Starkville Lady Yellowjackets have had to do only one other time this season.
When Starkville lost to Choctaw Central 56-52 in overtime last November, the Lady Jackets bounced back strong to handle Noxubee County 71-33.
On Thursday night, SHS found itself on the losing end of a 51-42 outcome at Murrah in Class 6A, Region 3 play.
The Lady Jackets were back on the court 24 hours later to face Northwest Rankin and once again had no problem responding with a 61-18 victory at the Beehive.
“We dusted ourselves off and rose to the occasion,” SHS girls coach Kristie Williams said. “It was one of those games to regroup mentally and get our confidence level back up. We had our moments (Thursday) night that for whatever reason we weren’t totally in the game, but we still had a chance at the end. That shows you the fight is there, but we’ve got to have it for four quarters.”
It only took one quarter for the Lady Jackets to get control of the game against the Lady Cougars.
After the first 8 minutes, it was the SHS seniors of Jariyah Covington, Tabreea Gandy and Kirsten Thompson outscoring Northwest Rankin 17-3.
Reese Taylor had the first five points for the visiting Lady Cougars, but they just didn’t have enough firepower to stay with the Lady Jackets.
Starkville expanded the margin to 30-9 by For Starkville Daily News
INDIANOLA – The Starkville Academy Lady Volunteers went on the road Friday night to try for a more positive result after losing to Leake Academy at home on Thursday.
Coach Bruce Allsup felt like his team could play much better than it did against Leake and the Lady Vols showed that against Indianola halftime and was up 48-16 after three quarters.
There were three Lady Jackets in the scoring column with double digit point totals. Covington hit four 3-point field goals and finished with 18 points. Thompson added 11 points and Jalisa Outlaw chipped in 10 points.
Williams continues to be impressed with how Thompson has stepped up in the post.
“She was getting the ball in the paint and wasn’t hesitating trying to score,” Williams said. “That’s what we need from her. Her defense was really solid.
“Going down the stretch, she is another piece to that puzzle because everyone will be keying in on our big three guards. It will open up doors for her to get more points, but our offense will be spread across the board and it’s going to be hard to guard us.”
With the win, Starkville improved its records to 18-2 overall and 3-1 in the division.
Thoughts have already turned to Tuesday night for the Lady Jackets and the rematch with Murrah at home.
“Tuesday will be here before you know it,” Williams said. “We’re excited about that opportunity to get them on our own floor and see what we can do in our own house. Sometimes home court advantage does play a key role in a big game like that.”
The loss in Jackson left a bad taste in the mouth of SHS junior Amaria Strong.
She knows the Lady Jackets let one slip away to the Lady Mustangs and Tuesday can’t get here quick enough for her.
“That was a setback,” Strong said of the Murrah loss. “We’re just waiting on Tuesday. We’re working hard. We’re going to get back in here Monday and keep practicing.” Academy by getting a 48-33 win.
Starkville Academy took a 14-7 lead after the first quarter and expanded the margin to 24-14 by halftime. The host Lady Colonels could not get any closer for the rest of the game.
Mary Peyton Passons led the Lady Vols with 18 points, while Lillee Alpe added 16 points. Rush Brown had 10 rebounds.
With the win, the Lady Vols improved to 17-11.
The Lady Vols may have found a 14-7 lead after one quarter of their game, but the SA boys were on the wrong end of that score at the end of the first 8 minutes of their game.
Indianola Academy outscored SA 14-8 in the second quarter to gain a 28-15 advantage at halftime.
Three Vols scored in double figures as Brady Richardson got 13 points, Noah Methvin had 12 points and Trey Tyler chipped in 10 points.
Starkville Academy’s record fell to 15-6.