Heading into this season, Laurel had a lot of rebuilding to do. Their top three players and three of the top four players in the MSAHA graduated in 2024. Their coach for the previous seven years stepped down after a dominant last three seasons, winning two of the last three titles.
This season, Cliff Jenkins returned to head coaching. This time as the Laurel Lady Knighthawks’ head coach. Jenkins head coached the boys’ Knighthawks team for three seasons, winning the championship in the last two years.
Replacing a championship coach in Shon Spradley for a championship coach in Jenkins was definitely helpful, but it still left a team with mostly inexperienced players. The players had won at the younger age groups, but the majority had not cracked the 18U rotation last season.
Beginning the season, the Lady Knighthawks had taken an obvious step back from last season. With closer scores with opponents to even a 34-33 loss to PCA left Laurel with a lot to be desired. The Paladins defeated Meridian and Muddy River but by much narrower scores.
A big turning point for Laurel was the Tri-State Classic in Conway, AR. The Lady Knighthawks swept the competition, going 4-0 that weekend. This gave the team momentum, and when they face Muddy River again they routed them 68-15 after having had a tight game with them at home.
The Lady Knighthawks have not lost since then but the real test lies on January 3 as Laurel gets another shot at PCA, this time at home. PCA has since lost to Meridian, making them 7-1 in conference. Meridian has only lost to Laurel and PCA, as they beat Muddy River, Hattiesburg, and McComb.
The Meridian Flyers have a good shot this year at a possible championship. With seven seniors, the Lady Flyers have experienced players led by Sarah Sherman and Ella Archie. Scott Sherman is the coach known for his effective development of players. They run a style of play where they look to control the pace, therefore control the game. This proved highly effective against the Muddy River Counselors. Meridian controlled the game and had a dominant performance from Sarah Sherman in the win. PCA and Meridian are extremely evenly matched. First time the two teams played, PCA won 32-29. In the second game, Meridian won 34-29. Meridian is 5-2 in conference, with games ahead against Muddy River, Laurel, and Hattiesburg.
The PCA Paladins have had a lot of changes from last season. They lost their two best players from last seasons team and had a coaching change. In the Covert family’s return to PCA, Kevin Covert leads both teams, and his daughter Camryn Covert is the team’s top player. Losing Salome’ Borelly was tough for the Paladins and won would have thought they would not be a good team but they have stepped up mightily, currently holding the top seed in the conference.
Beating Meridian, Laurel, and Muddy River early on put PCA in a good spot. But the loss to Meridian and near loss in a 38-37 win against Muddy River leaves the Paladins knowing they have to perform. PCA sits at 7-1 in conference with Laurel and McComb upcoming.
Muddy River has made vast improvements, but their 2-6 conference record doesn’t reflect it. The Counselors lost to PCA and Meridian early on getting behind early. Their loss to Laurel was narrow in the best performance ever for the Counselors against Laurel. Their dominant win over Hattiesburg on the road was also encouraging. After their Nov. 14 loss to Laurel, the Counselors had a long break, hitting the floor again against the Lady Knighthawks at home on Dec. 10. The Counselors were flat against a fire-hot Laurel team. Losing 68-15 was the first blowout loss Muddy River had taken and served as a gut punch. The Counselors rebounded, nearly defeating the PCA Paladins but falling in the final minute 38-37.
The toughest hit to the Counselors record came the following week against Hattiesburg at home. By the end of the game, 4 of the Counselors 5 starters were out with injury, leaving the Counselors to suffer a 55-22 defeat at home to Hattiesburg, putting them behind the Forerunners in the standings. The Counselors players are supposedly healthy, but that will prove to be a big question for this team.
The Counselors have the talent to compete for a championship but they are certainly on the outside looking in as they will have to beat teams they have not yet beat. They currently have not beaten the top teams in the conference. Their two conference wins have been against McComb and Hattiesburg. They sit at 2-6 in conference with two games ahead, against McComb and Meridian. The game against the lady Flyers will be a big test for Muddy River.
PCA leads the conference at the moment but they will take on Laurel on the road on Jan. 3 to see where those two teams stand after Christmas break.
