Warren Central (20-8) is heading into a playoff matchup with the red hot Columbus Falcons (18-5), but the Lady Vikes have higher aspirations than just a second-round appearance in the Class 6A tournament.

The Lady Vikes are led by a senior class made up of Amber Gaston, Cocoa Fultz, T’onna Sims, Da’Sha McGloster, Dominique Caldwell, and Chryaries White. They’ve been on the varsity roster since they were freshmen, and all of them have been starters at one time or another. They’ve won 77 games so far in their high school careers, and this is their last chance at an elusive state championship.

“This is a group that’s been at it for four years now,” WC coach Jackie Martin-Glass said. “I moved them up in the ninth grade to play varsity, and I was hoping at this time in their careers as seniors that we could get it all together and make a run for the championship.”

Gaston is averaging 12 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game.Fultz is averaging 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists, while Sims is at 8.4 points, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals.

Columbus comes into the game on an eight-game winning streak, with a 42-36 win over Tupelo most recently in the Division 2-6A tournament championship game.

Meanwhile, the Lady Vikes are 4-4 over their last eight games, and are coming off of an impressive comeback victory over Hernando in the first round.

“We started out slow that game and got behind early, and we had enough energy and pride to keep fighting,” Martin-Glass said. “Could’ve given up a little bit, but we fought back and we captured the lead and won the game. When adversity set in, we kind of adjusted to it in a positive way.”

This game is especially important for Warren Central, as it was put out in the second round last year. Martin-Glass wants to make it at least one step closer to the title this year.

The winner of Friday’s game will play either Pearl or Meridian in the Class 6A quarterfinals next Saturday morning in Jackson.

Columbus has averaged 54 points over its eight-game winning streak, but Martin-Glass likes how her squad stacks up. Warren Central has allowed 31 points or less in three of its last four games, and no opponent has scored more than 60 this season.

“I keep looking at the video and going over the scouting, they’re pretty tall, they have a couple of 5-10 girls, but I think we matchup OK with them,” Martin-Glass said. “Just watching video and looking at my personnel, I think it’ll be a pretty good matchup.”

Martin-Glass knows how crucial this game is for the Lady Vikes.

“It’s do or die,” she said. “My biggest thing for them is to play hard, give it their all, leave the court with no regrets. Make sure they pay good attention to our scouting reports and go in and execute.”

On Saturday, Warren Central’s boys’ team will try to advance to the Jackson portion of the state tournament for the first time since 1974 when it travels to take on Starkville (21-3).

Starkville beat the Vikings 60-27 in the Red Carpet Basketball Classic at WC in January and has won 18 consecutive games.

Warren Central (22-6) has won six of its last eight games since the loss to Starkville on Jan. 20.

MHSAA STATE TOURNAMENT
Friday – Girls
7 p.m. – Vicksburg at Neshoba Central (Class 5A)
7 p.m. – Warren Central at Columbus (Class 6A)
Saturday – Boys
7 p.m. – Vicksburg at Canton (Class 5A)
7 p.m. – Warren Central at Starkville (Class 6A)