PHILADELPHIA — Even as the wins accumulated throughout the year, Neshoba Central’s players didn’t give them more than a passing thought. Their focus was locked onto the present — not the past or the future.

That mindset didn’t change after the Lady Rockets swept Olive Branch and Grenada in their first two playoff rounds, and even after Neshoba Central blanked Lewisburg in Game 1 of the North State championship series Friday, Lady Rockets players refused to become too confident or content. 

Neshoba Central’s game-by-game approach resulted in yet another win Saturday as the Lady Rockets beat Lewisburg 3-0 in Game 2 to sweep the series and claim the MHSAA Class 5A North State championship.

Neshoba Central (32-0) will play Pearl River Central in the Class 5A best-of-three games championship series, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Mississippi State University’s Nusz Park.

“The main thing with this group is we just try to play one game at a time,” Neshoba Central coach Trae Embry said. “We don’t talk about the next game. We have now talked about Thursday (and the championship) because it’s that time.”

The postseason combination of Neshoba Central’s Aspen Wesley and Rivers Gray has helped the Lady Rockets outscored their playoff opponents 43-6, and Saturday was no exception.

Wesley threw yet another no-hitter, and just one Lewisburg ball in play made it beyond the infield all afternoon, before Gray corralled it into her mitt for the out. Wesley finished with 13 strikeouts and one walk. Gray hit two doubles in the three plate appearances to go along with an RBI. As Neshoba Central players posed for pictures following their North State championship win, Wesley hoisted Gray onto her shoulders.

“I just try to come out and not think too much about it,” Gray said. “Just do what I’ve grown up doing and what I practice every day for, and not get too mental about it. Just go up there with a clear mind. I just look at Coach Embry, and he’ll give me that, ‘You got it,’ and I get in the box and I feel good about it.”  

Embry commented on Gray’s postseason play.

“Rivers had a good series,” Embry said. “She had a big series (Friday) and had a good series again today. So, we’re really counting on Rivers — and more than just Rivers — but Rivers, her contributions are helping carry us right now.”

Tori Henderson followed Friday’s three-hit, one home run performance by going 2-for-3 with an RBI Saturday. Makenzie Barnett added an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Neshoba Central led 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning after Gray scored on an RBI double from Henderson. In the bottom of the third, Gray doubled to score Tenly Grisham, and Barnett’s fifth-inning single plated Hallie Billie for the Lady Rockets’ third run.

“They’re really, really hungry, and we hope they stay hungry,” Embry said. “They work hard, and they’re great kids. I’m just super proud of them.”

While Saturday’s win propels Neshoba Central to yet another state championship appearance, this year’s opportunity holds added significance for Wesley, as she has committed to play for Mississippi State upon graduation in 2019.

“I’m so excited,” said Wesley, who had a home run in Friday’s Game 1.  “I went over there and played at the camp, and I think it was sometime in October, and it was so exciting. I can’t wait to go back there, especially for the state championship, and just pitch over there early.”

For Embry, the opportunity to watch his ace pitcher compete for a state championship on the field she’ll soon call home is fulfilling. 

“It’s great; she works extremely hard, and she’s such a good kid that is so humble and is just a total team player,” he said. “She wants what’s best for the team, and not just what’s best for Aspen. She’s always going to do what’s best for the team and put the team first.”