JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – On the final day of Semifinal games, Holmes County Central Boys and Girls punched their tickets to 5A State Championship games after Final Four wins over Wayne County and Brookhaven.
5A Girls Semifinals: Holmes County Central vs. Brookhaven
A 5A state title berth was on the line as the Brookhaven Lady Panthers squared off with the Holmes County Central Lady Jaguars in a high-stakes semifinal showdown.
Holmes County Central came out firing in the first half, mounting a 38-21 advantage heading into the halftime break.
Brookhaven refused to fold though as Madison Benson found Kema Roberts, who spun into a short jumper, absorbed contact, and finished the play for the and-one, starting a run for the Lady Panthers.
In the fourth quarter, Brookhaven found more momentum when Camryn McDonald found Roberts again. This time, Roberts pulled up with confidence and knocked down another big bucket as the Lady Panthers continued their late surge.
The drama peaked in the final seconds of regulation.
With time winding down, Kylee Jackson inbounded to McDonald, who once again located Roberts. Roberts delivered in the clutch, sinking a late shot that tied the game and sent the semifinal into overtime.
In the extra period, Holmes County Central regained control.
The Lady Jaguars tightened up defensively and outscored Brookhaven 8–2 in overtime, slamming the door on the Lady Panthers’ comeback bid.
Final Score: Holmes County Central 61, Brookhaven 55.
With the win, the Lady Jaguars advance to the 5A Girls State Championship, where they’ll face Laurel on Saturday at 6 p.m.
5A Boys Semifinals: Holmes County Central vs. Wayne County
The Holmes County Central Jaguars and the Wayne County War Eagles went head-to-head for a spot in the 5A State Championship game.
Holmes County Central set the tone early when Gary Brown sliced through the defense and knocked down a smooth step-through mid-range jumper.
Wayne County answered quickly as Zylan Harris rose up and buried a tough pull-up jumper to keep Wayne County right in it.
Jaguars led 12-4 after the first quarter thanks to an impressive defensive start.
Back on offense, Holmes County Central executed to perfection on a crisp give-and-go between Devante Simpson and Julius Mathis. Simpson cut to the basket, took the return pass, and finished strong at the rim for the layup.
Wayne County kept fighting as Jarion George found Harris spotting up behind the arc, and Harris delivered again — draining another pure jumper to try to chip away at the deficit.
Still, the Jaguars’ first-half surge proved too much for the War Eagles to overcome.
In transition, Brown pushed the ball ahead to Mathis, who sealed it in style. Mathis rose up and threw down a slam, putting the exclamation mark on Holmes County Central’s statement win.
Final Score: Holmes County Central 52, Wayne County 41.
With the victory, the Jaguars advance to face Columbus in the MHSAA 5A Boys State Championship game on Saturday at 8 p.m.
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