STATE CHAMPS! Jackets Rally Past Mavs In Title Game

JACKSON - For the second consecutive meeting against Germantown, Starkville erased a deficit going into the final quarter as it rallied to take the 2026 MHSAA Class 7A State Championship, 40-36, on Friday night inside the Mississippi Coliseum.

The Jakets claimed the program's sixth state title and the first since 2020. Head coach Anthony Carlyle orchestrated his seventh title as a head coach with the win.

SHS trailed 32-29 after three quarters after a trailing by nine in the thirds quarter. The Jackets out-scored GHS 11-4 in the fiourth quarter to preserve the win.

Senior Jerwan McCarter led the Jackets with 10 points and five rebounds. Junior LaDanuel sparked the Jackets off the bench with eight points and four rebounds. Senior Tyreq added six points on a pair of treys. 

Seniors Terrell Warren, Jr. and Jaden Tate posted dive points and three points respectively.