Covington, Outlaw help Lady Jackets return to Jackson

Last season's trip to Jackson was satisfying in the end for Starkville Lady Yellowjacket coach Kristie Williams.

The SHS girls had an undefeated season on the line in the Class 6A State championship before falling in heartbreaking fashion, but it was later revealed that Olive Branch played an ineligible player. The Lady Jackets were awarded the title and that reign has been put on the line this month in the playoffs.

To get back to Jackson for a fourth-straight season, the Lady Jackets were going to have to have the leadership of players that have been there before. That came from senior Jariyah Covington and Jalisa Outlaw last Friday night.

The two each played major parts in the respective halves of the game against Clinton leading the team to a 66-54 win. For their efforts, they've been selected as this week's OCH Regional Medical Center Co-Athlete of the Week.

Both players finished the night with 22 points in the game. Covington's performance nominated her for the (Jackson) Clarion Ledger Preps Player of the Week honor as well.

Outlaw did the dirty work in the first quarter scoring 10 points in a 17-0 spurt that led Starkville out to a lead. Through the first three quarters, however, Covington wasn't playing her best basketball.

“She got rattled and that's something that's going to happen in the course of the game,” Williams said. “I reminded her that we expect her to step up and to take care of the basketball and take the big shots. Once she was able to get in her groove, she was able to help us through the fourth quarter.”

Leading 47-42 with 5 minutes remaining, Outlaw sparked

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