By Cody Thomason
The Vicksburg Post

A four-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday when the Warren Central Lady Vikes lost 47-33 to Starkville in a matchup of top-five teams in Class 6A at the Red Carpet Basketball Classic.

The Lady Vikes trailed 25-20 at halftime, but a 3-point barrage gave Starkville enough of a lead to put the game away. The Lady Yellowjackets hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter, including two by Jarivah Covington, to take a 41-28 lead into the fourth.

Covington and Jalisa Outlaw each finished with 17 points for Starkville (16-1). Outlaw also had a 3-pointer in the third quarter.

“I stressed the perimeter play, and my players got lost and gave up several 3-point shots, which is probably the difference in the game, about 15 points in 3-pointers,” WC coach Jackie Martin-Glass said. “We started out, my goal was to contain the perimeter and we just really didn’t stick to our game plan, and allowed other players to hurt us.”

Warren Central (16-5) lost for the first time since Dec. 28. It was playing without starting point guard T.T. Sims, who was suspended for Saturday’s game and will also miss Wednesday’s division game against Provine following her ejection Friday’s vs. Jim Hill.

Sims’ sister Te’Asia, the backup point guard, led the Lady Vikes with 12 points. Aniya Sanders scored eight and Cocoa Fultz had six points and eight rebounds. Martin-Glass said the Lady Vikes seemed off their game, though.

“After last night and losing players, the chemistry was a little off,” Martin-Glass said. “I thought we played well, we just have to go to the drawing board. I think they got too many offensive rebounds and second chances at the basket.”

Martin-Glass also felt conditioning played a role in the loss. Warren Central missed several days of practice due to the week’s inclement weather.

“I think Starkville was in better shape, they hustled down the court and at times we were dragging and they were pushing the ball. We have to get in better shape,” Martin-Glass said. “So hustling and execution is going to be what the difference is in us getting better.”