The Vardaman Lady Rams, Calhoun City Lady Wildcats and Calhoun City Wildcats each won regular season titles and earned top seeds entering their respective district tournaments next week, but all three coaches are quick to point out that it’s what happens from this point forward that will determine the success of this season.
“It’s hard to beat a team three times, but that’s what we’ll have to do,” Lady Wildcat Coach Rob Fox said.
All three of these teams will likely enter the district tournament unbeaten in division play. The Lady Wildcats, 19-2, have had several close calls since losing starter Shartesia Cousins to injury.
“We’ve got to do all the little things right,” Fox said. “We can’t get shook by the moment just because we’re young.”
The Vardaman Lady Rams have also won all their region games, but many by a slim margin.
“We played everybody in division really close,” Lady Rams Coach Deanna Winter said. “We’re going to have to work to get that number one seed.”
The seeding coming out of the district tournament could be everything for Daren Coffey’s Calhoun City Wildcats.
They’re facing the possibility of having to meet top-ranked and unbeaten West Tallahatchie in the North playoffs just to get to Jackson.
“We need that number one seed to get home games,” Coffey said. “We’ve got to step up and play our very best now when everything is on the line.”
The Calhoun City teams will be traveling to Winona for their district tournament. The Lady Rams’ district tournament will be at Houlka.
All three won’t begin tournament play until Thursday, Feb. 18 due to first round byes.
The Bruce Trojans will open postseason play at Winona next Tuesday night as a three or four seed.
Coach Willie Mays said his Trojans’ starters can match up with other teams, but it will be the production off the bench that determines how far they can go.
“We don’t have the depth that a lot of teams have, but we’re playing a lot better as a team right now,” Mays said. “We need to spread it out so teams can’t focus so much on Justin (Flemons). If we can do that we have a chance.”
Flemons is averaging 25 points per game for the 14-8 Trojans. He scored 16 last week in the 68-40 district win over Eupora. Raquerious Spicer led with 25 points and Cameron Clarke added 16.
“We need that kind of production,” Mays said.
The Lady Trojans, 5-14, will likely be a five seed in the district tournament and have to beat Eupora to advance. They lost to Eupora last Friday.
“We didn’t handle their size very well,” Lady Trojans Coach Davin Young said. “We’re going to have to rebound and stay focused if we’re going to win.”
Young said most of all he’d like to see his team finish the season playing more consistently.
“It’s been tough for our seniors playing for three different coaches during their career,” Young said. “We want to win for them, but we need our younger players to step up and play with a lot of focus.”
Both Bruce teams, which host North Pontotoc and Okolona this Thursday and Friday, will have to pull upsets to earn home playoff games the week of Feb. 22-23. Calhoun City will be the favorites.
“We’re all starting from scratch now,” Coach Coffey said. “It doesn’t matter what your record is. You have to prove yourself every time out on the court.”
They did that last week completing a season sweep of Okolona. The Wildcats won 78-71 with Brieton Sykes scoring 28, Tyius Jennings 27, and Ladavius Draine 16.
The Lady Wildcats won 48-26. Coach Fox let his younger players get most of the playing time. Tekeitris Honey led with 12 points. Damya Campbell added 10.
The Vardaman Lady Rams continued their hot play last week with a 64-58 win over Wheeler. Alaysia Madkins scored 24, Shylysses Rimmer 15 and Mykilah Williams 12.
They beat Eupora 61-31. Brittany Hawkins scored 19, Madkins 15 and Rimmer 13.
The Rams are still winless on the season. They lost to Wheeler 63-46 with Brandon Washington scoring 10. Eupora topped the Rams 81-50. Wesley Casey scored 19 and Tyler Boyette 10.
The Rams will open district tournament play at Houlka on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The Lady Rams will have a bye until Thursday.
“Earning that number one seed is our main goal,” Lady Rams Coach Winter said. “The fact that we’ve got five starters that have been there before should help us. Now we just have to play up to our abilities.”
Vardaman will conclude the regular season at South Pontotoc Friday.
Calhoun City will host Houston Friday night.