The Starkville Yellowjackets turned it up a notch to pull away from a skilled Vicksburg contingent Tuesday and went on to post a 58-46 win in the first round of the North State 5A playoffs at The Beehive.

It was the first meeting between the two schools since Vicksburg defeated SHS for the 2003 Class 5A championship. But it was not to happen on this late February evening in Starkville.

Starkville led by only one at halftime, 27-26, on a free throw by Johnny Evans.

Starkville coach Greg Carter said the Jackets got into rhythm after the break and played much better especially on defense.

&#8220I told the guys in the locker room at halftime that if we were going to win we had to make some plays on defense and they came out and did just that,” Carter said.

Starkville made only one field goal in the fourth quarter, a layup by Quvarius Howard, but was 12-of-16 from the free throw line. That enabled the Jackets to protect their lead.

Vicksburg (18-12) trailed 12-6 at the end of the first quarter, but battled back to take a 23-21 lead on a baseline jumper by Jonathan Phelps, who finished with a game-high 28 points. But the Jackets answered as Jonathan Harris scored on the baseline to knot the score.

&#8220Jonathan (Phelps) is a skilled player and we knew he could play,” Carter said of the Vicksburg High junior.

The lead changed hands again as Vicksburg’s Jaybri Williams nailed a 3-pointer only to have Nikko Harris sink a trey to tie it at 26-26. Evans then made one of two free throws to give the Jackets the one-point lead at halftime.

Howard came up with a steal to begin the third quarter and Latavious Williams tipped in a missed shot. Howard then grabbed an offensive rebound and completed a three-point play for a 32-26 lead with 6:27 remaining in the third quarter.

Howard then broke the Vicksburg press, drove the length of the court, hit a floater and added a free throw for a repeat three-point play and a 35-27 lead.

Down the stretch the Jackets, 1-of-6 from the line in the first half, shot their free throws much better in the second half, sinking 12-of-16.

Howard led the Jackets with 18 points followed by Jonathan Harris with 12 and Williams with 11. Glenn Ivy and Nikko Harris had seven each and Evans four.

Jaybri Williams added 11 points for Vicksburg.