February 22, 2007

It’s become accustomed this time of year for teams such as Warren Central’s girls, Port Gibson’s boys and both Hinds AHS teams to be preparing for a trip to the Mississippi Coliseum for the state basketball tournament.

The big gym, large crowds and bright lights of the &#8220Big House” is what teams strive for from the first practice of the season. Winning the gold ball is the culmination of a season full of competition.

Odds are that all four aforementioned teams will be playing in Jackson. Then there are the newcomers – the St. Aloysius boys and girls hoops teams.

The Flashes and Lady Flashes begin a run toward the Big House tonight. Both have to win tonight, then win on Friday or Saturday to advance to state. Both teams have recorded 20-plus win seasons for the second time in as many years. They have accomplished such after coming into the season with new coaches.

Drew McBrayer, who coached both the boys and girls, left for New Hope leaving two coaching vacancies and not much time to fill them.

Athletic director Jim Taylor found a fill-in coach who owns a printing business in Clinton to assume the boys spot. For the Lady Flashes, he turned to a former Warren Central player with no coaching experience to lead the way.

All Penn Majors and Kyt Bonner have done is to lead their respective teams to division championships and now the shot at a state title.

Mind you this is not a school known for its basketball prowess. One coach said when he was hired years ago that the program had no history to talk about and not much more expected out of the future.

Both teams advanced to the playoffs last year before bowing out in the first round. The Lady Flashes lost leading scorer Annie Beaugh and her sister Amy to graduation.

A senior-laden boys team also won their division championship and defeated Pisgah on Tuesday night to reach Sorth State.

The competition level increases substantially at Sorth State. Of eight teams, three move on. The Flashes and Lady Flashes will have to play the best basketball of the year.

The reward is so sweet, an all-out effort starting tonight should be visible. Only 60 teams in five classifications throughout this state will make it to the two-week state tournament in the capital city. Ten of those will be crowned champion.

Even reaching the Big House for a team not used to success in basketball may be reward enough.

It would also put a nice cherry on top of the Flashes and Lady Flashes’ already unforgettable seasons.