Much like teams that faced Greenville Christian in football two years ago, the Winona Christian Lady Stars faced a stacked team in Rossville Christian in the Class 4A finals on Saturday.
The Lady Wolves pulled away in the second half and took a 45-25 win over the Lady Stars to capture the Class 4A state title, a year after winning just two games.
WCS coach Nick Mumme said his team has been together since elementary and showed early promise.
“I could not be more proud of this group of girls,” Mumme said. “This is a group of kids that has been together since lower elementary and it has been an honor to coach them these past three years. My first two years at Winona both of our seasons ended in heartbreaking ways in north state. I can not thank these kids enough for their work ethic and belief they had in this team. They very easily could have given up on me and this team.”
Mumme said the kids and community have been outstanding this season.
“These kids deserve all the credit for the season they are having,” Mumme said. “I can’t thank our community enough for the support they showed our team this year, it was unbelievable to witness and it’s what makes Winona Christian a special place! And lastly I can’t thank my assistant coach Matt Hudson enough. He has a big apart in all of this as anybody.”
The Winona Christian girls advance to the MAIS Overall tournament and will play Presbyterian Christian on Friday at 10 a.m. at Mississippi College in Clinton.
Rossville 45, Winona Christian 25
The Lady Stars lost to the Lady Wolves for the second time as they fell in the 4A title game by 20 points.
Rossville led 11-7 at the end of the first while Winona took the second period 5-4 and trailed 15-12 at the half. Rossville then pulled away in the second half and outscored Winona 15-7 in the third and 15-6 in the fourth period for the final margin.
“This year just had a different feel to it,” Mumme said. “There were multiple games we were down double digits in the fourth quarter and they fought back to win. In the north State semifinals against Kirk, they had every opportunity to give up in the fourth quarter but they found a way to win. In the state championship, we just ran into a very talented team that was put together and my heart breaks for these kids.”
Bella Roberts led Winona Christina with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Olivia Brooks had five points while Sara Beth Rawles had three points and eight rebounds.
Winona Christian girls 57, Laurel Christian 37
The Lady Stars got a pair of double-doubles and cruised to a 20-point win over the Lady Lions on Wednesday.
Winona dominated the first half as they outscored Laurel 17-9 in the first and 18-8 in the second to lead 35-17 at the half. Laurel fought back and outscored Winona 14-9 in the third to cut the lead to 44-31 going to the fourth. But the Lady Stars took the fourth period 13-6 for the final margin.
Bella Roberts led Winona Christian with 18 points, 10 rebounds and three steals while Sara Beth Rawles had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Olivia Brooks had 12 points and six steals while Autum Lishman had eight points.
Winona Christian 47, Clinton Christian 41
The Lady Stars pulled away in the fourth period and took a six-point win over the Lady Warriors in the 4A semifinals on Friday.
Winona jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the first but Clinton answered by taking the second period 13-6 to cut the lead to 19-18 at the half. Clinton took the third period 13-12 to tie the game at 31-31 going to the fourth. Winona then outscored Clinton 16-10 in the fourth to take the win.
Bella Roberts had a huge game with 33 points, 13 rebounds and three steals. Olivia Brooks had five points and four steals while Autum Lishman had six points.
