Starkville ends Biloxi's season in 6A quarterfinals

JACKSON--The Biloxi boys basketball team's first trip to Jackson since 2012 came to an end in the Class 6A quarterfinals.

Starkville held off the Indians in the final moments to pick up a 55-44 victory and advance to Wednesday's semifinals contest against the winner of Tupelo-Meridian.

Biloxi's season came to a close with a record of 22-11, exceeding expectations by making the trip to Jackson.

"I felt like my kids fought hard," Biloxi coach Seber Windham said. "I'm proud of the way my kids fought this season. We can look back at this season and sort of smile. We didn't win a state championship, but people didn't think we'd get here. I feel good about being here and taking Starkville to the wire."

Biloxi started cold from the field and trailed 12-5 after one quarter, but the Indians found their way back in the game and trailed 26-20 at the half.

The Indians started the second half on a surge and a basket by Marques McGee tied the game at 31-31 with 3:38 left in the third quarter.

Starkville answered with a 6-0 run, but Biloxi again found its stride.

Biloxi point guard Jaylon Chiles made a couple of outstanding plays on back-to-back possessions to allow Biloxi to tie the game at 39-39 with 4:25 remaining.

First, Chiles worked his way inside for a nice assist under the basket to McGee, who converted on the layup.

Chiles came up with the steal on the following Starkville possession and dashed down the court for the layup. Chiles was fouled on the play and he converted the free throw for the 3-point lay to tie it up.

Again, Starkville answered with a 6-0 run to lead 47-41 with 2:15 remaining.

"We got the momentum back a little bit (on the Chiles basket)," Windham said. "But we had a turnover and missed a shot two possessions in a row.

"In these big time moments, every possession counts. They've got really good players and one of the better players in the state (Tyson Carter)."

A big moment in the game came with about 3 minutes remaining when McGee fouled out.

Biloxi junior Fred Ramsey-Thompson managed to tie up Starkville's Markedric Bell, who had the ball. The referee behind the play called a foul while the ref under the basket called a jump ball. The two referees met on the court and decided that it was a foul and it would be awarded to McGee.

McGee, who led Biloxi with 11 points, had to leave with five fouls and Windham was less than pleased with the call.

Starkville (26-5) led 44-39 with 3:18 left after Bell converted on both free throws after the call.

"It was huge," Windham said. "They missed a call. If they wanted to call it foul, it was Fred. I thought it was a jump ball so it was a double thing. They make two free throws and we lose our best rebounder, who was playing well offensively. It was a big call, a big loss. I had to replace a 6-6 guy. We don't have anybody else like that."

After scoring nine points in the first half, Ramsey-Thompson failed to score in the second half.

"It was real frustrating," Ramsey-Thompson said. "All the shots I make, I had open looks. They weren't falling tonight."

Keith Harris led Starkville with 21 points and nine rebounds and Carter had 17 points.

This story was originally published March 6, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Starkville ends Biloxi's season in 6A quarterfinals ."