QUITMAN — Having an opportunity to make history doesn’t happen often.

But that’s exactly what lies before the Quitman High School boys basketball team.

Despite a wealth of talent that has come through the Panther program, including former NBA star Antonio McDyess and former Southern Miss standouts Kelly McCarty and John Lacey, the school has yet to reach the pinnacle in claiming a state championship.  

That can all change at 4 p.m. today when Quitman squares off against reigning state champion McComb High School in the MHSAA Class 4A state title game.

“We have had a lot of great teams and great players through the years,” Quitman athletic director Steve Hampton said. “It’s a rich-tradition program. Basketball has been a focal point here for a long time and its been very successful.”

The title appearance marks the first occasion the Panthers have played in the ultimate game since 1989 — a 74-68 defeat at the hands of T.L. Weston High School.

“(Winning a state title) is something that every sports program needs,” Quitman coach Chris Coleman said. “I think Quitman is on the cusp, and it’s right there close to it, and I was part of something similar to that at Wayne County. … Once that first team showed that it is possible to win, that championships are possible, the rest of the teams fed off of that.”

Two years ago, Hampton brought Coleman on board as the boys head coach, a decision that has paid major dividends. Coleman has helped guide the Quitman program to a 54-10 record in his two seasons.

“We knew he was a good, young coach,” Hampton said of Coleman. “I got to know him when he was an assistant at Wayne County, and I thought he did a good job with the kids down there. He then did a good job (as head coach) with what he had to work with at South Jones.

“I think the players play extremely hard for him. He gets along with the kids, and he is tough on the kids, and I think they respond to him. I think the kids at Quitman have always played hard, and his play extremely hard and never give up.”

Hampton, who served as the Quitman boys basketball head coach for 15 years before taking his current position, said this year’s squad has generated a great deal of support from the local community.

“I think the community is very passionate about athletics,” Hampton said. “They always get behind the team and travel well.  Win or lose, they support them.”

In response, the 2014-15 Panthers boys team has demonstrated a strong affection to their supporters.  

Said forward Darius Hicks, “That’s our goal. To be the first Quitman team to bring a (championship) home. This means a lot. It’ll be good for our city, our school and everyone that supports us.”

Hampton said he believes the strong showing by the Panthers throughout their tournament run, in addition to the Quitman girls semifinal appearance, will help catapult those programs and others to future success.

“We have some great coaching staffs,” he said. “I’m very pleased with all the staffs and what they do with the kids here at Quitman. They coach them up, and they teach them to be not only good players but good people. I’m just proud to see the success that we’ve had in several different sports.”