It was a Friday night to remember for South Pike’s basketball programs, as the Eagles won a pair of 3A District 7 titles and saw both their head coaches take home Coach of the Year Honors.
Lady Eagles cruise to win over Lady Cobras
Facing Wesson in the title round, the Lady Eagles (17-6) clinched the championship with a comfortable 45-21 victory.
Amira Jackson led the way with 15 points for South Pike, while Ayinah Varnado tacked on nine and the duo of Alaysha Williams and Deanna Lewis each scored seven.
Lewis reeled in a team-high 10 rebounds while Williams racked up six steals and four assists.
It had been a decade since the Lady Eagles had last won a district title and went undefeated in district play.
Head coach Candace Felder-Hall was named District Coach of the Year following the victory as well.
Eagles edge Bulldogs in low-scoring affair
Taking on Franklin County, the boys team (16-9) competed in a defensive battle but was able to pull out a 49-46 win.
“I told the team that they were going to come out and scratch and claw for everything and that they were going to play free,” head coach Reggie Chambers said. “And so if our minds weren’t right, we’d be in for a dog fight, and that’s what happened.”
Chambers went on to explain that the Bulldogs’ zone-look bothered his offense, but he believes competing in a close postseason game like this can only benefit his team moving forward.
“So now we’re going to make a playoff run, and we could be in similar positions,” Chambers said. “And so now we have the experience and know what can happen.”
Senior Jovon Leavy, who also took home District Player of the Year honors, paced the Eagles with 17 points, while sophomore Kaleb Brumfield added 15 points.
Chambers was also named District Coach of the Year.
“It’s big time, but I couldn’t have done this without my staff,” Chambers said. “I’m asking these guys to do a lot with volunteering their time, so it’s their award as well.”
Up next, both South Pike’s teams will compete in the MHSAA 3A state playoffs, with the girls hosting Seminary at 7 p.m. on Monday while the boys welcome Hazlehurst at the same time Tuesday.
