Beaver Dam's Cohen Keats goes in to take a shot at the pole Thursday against the Warriors during the State Games of Mississippi stickball competition at Choctaw Central High School.

CHOCTAW — Beaver Dam scored in each of the four quarters, including three times in the opening and third periods, to defeat the Warriors, winning 8-3 in stickball action Thursday.

The event is associated with the State Games of Mississippi, allowing for plentiful competition among the participants.

Beaver Dam was led by siblings, Cohen Keats and Carly Keats, who combined for three of the teams points.

“Everybody blocked, and we all had fun,” Cohen said. “It’s exciting. Your adrenaline is really flowing out there. You got to hit and be feisty with the ball. You can’t let the other team get it and score, and you have to block out.”

Not to be outdone, 12-year-old Caleb Mingo chipped in with a pair of goals himself.

“This was pretty fun,” Mingo. “I’m just worried about my teammates and worried about scoring. It all comes down to team work.”

The two squads entered the playing field to the sound of a beating drum and sticks clashing together as fans in the stands cheered on their favorite teams.

Beaver Dam struck first off an early score from Carly.

“We’re just trying to score,” Carly said. “If you can’t get the ball, then you have to hit the person with the ball and make the fumble, then you go get it.”

Cowen and Mingo then followed up with scores before the Warriors got on the board from a strike from Colen Dixon.

However, Cowen would put his squad ahead, 4-1, heading into halftime with his second score.

Beaver Dam then busted it open in the third after scores, highlighted by Mingo’s second score. Adrellius Tubby put Beaver Dam ahead 8-1 with an early strike in the fourth.

The Warriors mounted a small, fourth-quarter comeback after Jace Dixon and Cameron Frazier scored, but it was too little, too late.

With the win, Beaver Dam advances to the semifinals to be played at 7 p.m. today.  

“It’s pretty exciting to get the win,” Carly said.