By Daniel Rigdon / Sports Writer
The Meridian Star
JACKSON — Wayne County will see a new navy banner hanging in its gymnasium thanks to a few halftime adjustments and a huge third quarter from an unlikely source to win the Class 5A State Championship Saturday afternoon with a 63-34 beatdown of rival West Jones.
Leading 21-16 at the half, Wayne County came out from the locker room looking for some breathing room and a spark. They got that and a whole lot more as senior Lauren Douglas got things rolling.
Douglas, who averaged 4.9 points per game in the regular season, heated up quickly behind the arc and knocked down three treys in the third quarter. None of which came near to hitting anything but nylon. Wayne scored 21 points in the quarter, 11 of which were from Douglas, to put the game out of reach as it entered the final period with a 42-20 lead.
"We had to make some adjustments on our half-court traps," said Wayne County coach Gina Skelton. "After we did that we encouraged our shooters. We encouraged Lauren to come out shooting and she did. That kinda opened up the ballgame for us."
Added Douglas of her performance: "It means the world to me, I'm not gonna lie. Coach told me at halftime to have confidence in my shot, that it would go in. That sparked my confidence.
"I don't even know what to say, I'm kind of speechless, but I mean if it wasn't for my teammates I couldn't have made those shots.
"Its just great and I love my teammates, they're the best."
The War Eagles would go on to cruise to their first state title since 2006.
There was no let down for Wayne even though it was facing its biggest rival in West Jones. After trailing early in the first quarter the War Eagles (28-3) gained their composure and crept back in the contest to grab the lead from the West Jones (23-9) with three minutes remaining in the quarter at 8-6.
However, the Mustangs would stay competitive throughout the first half and entered halftime trailing by just five points at 21-16.
Skelton was worried before the game about her team's mindset and tried to keep them focused as they had already defeated the Mustangs by double digits twice during the year.
"You always worry about the intangibles," added Skelton. "Before the game I was worried about us mentally because they're teenagers and sometimes you don't know how teenagers are gonna react. I just tried to keep them from getting the big head because we had already beaten them."
Also helping prevent that was the War Eagles' impeccable defense, which held West Jones to 34 points.
"Our defense has helped win us ballgames all year long," noted Skelton. "You could say our defense makes our offense go."
Added West Jones coach Steve Gieger: "They are a great team. "They outplayed us in every phase of the game today. They put a lot of pressure on you both offensively and defensively. There's never a chance to breathe with them.
"I knew coming in that we would have to play a near perfect ballgame if we were going to win."
Wayne County was led by Tierro Frost, who was named the game's MVP, with 19 points and Kierro Frost dropped in 12. Douglas ended the day with those 11 third-quarter points.
West Jones would not register a single player in double digits, but did get seven points from both Janetta McCullum and Marquita Kemp.
All that's left now is for Wayne's seniors to pick out ring designs. And to hoist that second navy banner.
