Starkville's Eight Grade Boys Hoops Enjoying Success

STARKVILLE - The success on the hardwood for Starkville extends down to the junior high level as the Armstrong Junior High boys team has advanced to the regional round of the MHSAA Middle School Invitational Tournament.

Coached by Head Coach, Chance Collins, & assistant coaches Orlando Ware, Tony Minor Jr, & Ryan Rodriguez, the eighth grade boys finished regular season with a 12-1 record, and received an invitation to the state tournament for middle school boys basketball. 

The tournament consists of three Rounds: Regionals, Super Regionals, & Championship Round with a total of 6 possible games (2 games each round). 

In the Regional Rounds, hosted by Itawamba Community College, the Armstrong Yellowjackets faced the West Point Green Waves for game one. Armstrong defeated the Green Wave 51-40, led by DJ Bedford's 21 points and seven rebounds and Bryson Ashford's 10 points. Khiry Dantzler's added nine points and three rebounds, followed by Leviticus Jenkins' seven points & eight rebounds 

After securing the first win on Friday, Armstrong moved on to play Olive Branch on Saturday for game two. Armstrong defeated the Olive Branch Conquistadors by a score of 41-32. Scoring leaders for the game were Ashford with 14 points & seven rebounds; Cameron Ware with eight points; Khiry Dantzler with six points.

The boys are now 14-1 and are set to play Calhoun City in the Super Regionals - hosted by Northeast Community College - for the third playoff game on Friday, January 30th. 

The Championship Round will be held the following week, February 6th & 7th, at East Mississippi Community  College as Scooba will be hosting the final four and championship game.