[HATTIESBURG, MS] After Tate Boggs’ right wing 3-pointer went through the net as clean as a whistle, there was a brief excitement brewing in the crowd. But it was too little too late. Sun Michael Williams chunked the ball into the air as the buzzer sounded and pandemonium ensued. The final score: Counselors 50, PCA 49.
For the first time in the history of the program, the Muddy River Counselors were champions of the boys’ premium division. The road was long yet short for the Counselors, an organization berthed in the fall of 2020. The first season for the Counselors as an 18U squad finished with a 4-11 record. The Counselors won the 16U championship however, led by Chris Purnell.
The next season had the Counselors coming in with more confidence. They added a 6’3″ Jimmy Baker and had everyone else coming back. Baker played 3 games and exited the last game with an ankle injury. King Williams had a great year every time he touched the floor but had some issues that had him unable to play more than 15 minutes. The Counselors struggled, finishing with a 7-15 record and getting bounced out of the MSAHA Playoffs in 2 games.
The 2022-23 season was the breakout year for the Counselors. They finished 21-10 with a 10-2 conference record but they just couldn’t get over the hump of beating PCA and they lost to the Paladins on Championship Saturday.
This season, there were expectations. The Counselors handled expectations well and won all the conference games. But PCA beat the Counselors at district, causing the Counselors some concern.
The Playoffs began with a matchup with the hot Laurel Knighthawks. The Knightahwks kept the game within reason but they just couldn’t stop the Counselors. At halftime, Muddy River led 53-32. The second half was dominated by the Counselors, leading to a 91-45 win. Both Rydell Breakfield and Luke Sanders each finished with a career-high 31 points in the win, while Sun Michael Williams had a career-best 18 assists in the victory.
Next up for the Counselors was the defending champion PCA Paladins. They had beaten the Hattiesburg Forerunners to make it to that game. The Counselors and the Paladins battled hard in a close battle but Muddy River prevailed in the end for a 51-40 win. Caleb Sanders finished with 23 points, leading the way.
On Championship Saturday, the Muddy River Counselors faced the PCA Paladins who had narrowly beaten the Laurel Knighthawks to make it to that game. The Paladins were in the position to have to beat the Counselors twice to win the championship. PCA went up 9-3 to begin, but the Counselors stormed back and ended up leading 35-25 at the half. PCA brought it back close, even cutting it to 47-46 with one minute to go. A big shot from Caleb Sanders and a big free throw for Sun Michael led the Counselors to close the deal and win their first ever 18UB Title.
Caleb Sanders and Sun Michael Williams finished as the top two players in the league with Luke Sanders finishing first team All-Conference. Rydell Breakfield also was named as an All-Conference player, well earned especially after one of the all-time greatest playoff performances in MSAHA history, nearly averaging 24 PPG in the tournament.
The Counselors also became the first team since 2017 to win all three boys divisions (14U, 16U, 18U).
The Counselors have regionals in Dallas and nationals in Springfield, MO coming up, but the ultimate prize was realized this past weekend.
