Moments after his team defeated Wilkinson County Christian Academy 86-31 Wednesday in the opening round of the MAIS Class 3A State Basketball Tournament at Greenville Christian, Greenville Christian School coach Logan Collins reflected on what a great ride these last two seasons have been for his program.
“This is a special group,” Coach Collins said. “I have had three players on this team since the sixth grade. The rest of them I have had the past two years, but it has felt like I have had them for just as long too.
“I am trying to savior every moment I have with these kids, every practice, every bus ride and every game. I want us to make good memories.”
With the victory Wednesday, the Saints — the defending Class 3A State Champions — advance to play Sylva-Bay Academy in Friday’s semifinal round at 6 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
As they have been doing all season, the Saints came out of the gates like gang busters Wednesday night. They jumped out to a 20-2 lead and led 26-5 at the end of the first quarter.
Greenville Christian’s DJ Smith scored 14 of his team high 22 points in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Daishun Scott took over, scoring all 11 of his points in the period.
“DJ and Daishun are two of our biggest scorers,” Coach Collins said. “With their athletic ability and size and quickness, they get set up quite a bit by Will (Riley) and Josiah (Claiborne) and Marlon (Palmer) and some of our other guys.”
While Coach Collins is not looking past Friday night’s game against Sylva-Bay, he said he realizes that some people are already talking about their chances in next week’s MAIS Overall Tournament. Last year, the Saints lost in overtime to Madison Ridgeland-Academy in the championship game of the Overall Tournament.
“I have not been paying attention to it, but I know if MRA wins their state championship, and we win our state championship, then we would meet in the Overall semifinals. The reason I know that is because like a thousand people have told me. But, this week is all we are thinking about.”
