Halftime of the opening game of the regional tournament for the Lady Statesmen started off great. When I say great, I mean great defense and enough offense to take a 9-1 lead.

Then both teams started make baskets. Valdosta State, who basically was non-existent to start the game, decided to make an impact and give Delta State a run for its money.

If it not for a late score by the Lady Statesmen, Valdosta goes into the half with the lead.

The second half should be interesting.

DSU needs to keep up the outstanding defensive play they had in the first half if they want a chance at claiming the victory.

Rosedale has defeated Coahoma County 48-46 in the semifinals of the 2A state playoffs.

Next up will be Hinds AHS (31-2) in the championship game Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Jackson.

Throw in the Delta State and Alabama-Huntsville match up at 7:30 p.m. and it should be an interesting Friday.

Just got back from the men and woman's press conference at Delta State.

Nothing earth shattering took place. No big time, make you gasp questions.

Delta State coach Sandra Rushing was named the GSC West coach of the year for the fourth year. She is going for her fourth consecutive GSC championship and a second regional tournament played in Cleveland.

Talk about being consistent. I couldn't win four GAMES in a row if I wanted to.

Junior Chad Akins and sophomore Bug Cooper were both named to the first-team All-GSC as point guards. No surprises there as both of them have been key to their respective team.

Cooper leads the Lady Statesmen (easily) in assists with 237 (8.2 per game). She also leads the team in steals (55) and minutes played (936). She is fourth in points with 259.

Akins' stats are not much different than Cooper's. He leads the team in assists with 191, 37 steals, 681 minutes played.

That's a lot of minutes played. That's more than 11 hours playing in basketball games. The only thing I've ever done that long is...nothing, well maybe sleep 11 hours straight but that's another story.
The Lady Statesmen won't take to the court until Thursday. They will face the winner of Harding University and West Alabama.

Delta State has played both teams twice earlier in the year. The Lady Statesmen defeated West Alabama 67-54 and 63-38. They defeated Harding 71-42 at Harding and 71-57 in Cleveland.

The Statesmen will play Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Alabama-Huntsville, for the third time this year.

Whether that is a good thing or not has yet to be determined.