McAdams is one of the state’s smallest schools — small even by 1A standards — but 2021 produced outsized results in boys basketball, boys powerlifting, and girls powerlifting.
Bulldogs basketball coach Kenyon Ross loaded the front end of the schedule with strong opponents from larger classifications. The Bulldogs took their lumps, but once play in Region 5-1A began, the Bulldogs went on a roll, tying West Lowndes for the regular season title with a 5-1 mark then winning the region tournament. That was followed by three playoff victories before losing to state champion Biggersville in the 1A semifinals at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Cameron Fleming was the team’s Best Offensive Player, Tyrick Davis Best Defensive Player, Kendarrius McBeath Most Dedicated, Jalena Greer Most Improved and Omari Barron Hampton received the Sixth Man Award. All five are still on the team. Hampton and Fleming are juniors and Davis a sophomore, so the future is bright inside Wilson Jackson Gymnasium.
Both McAdams powerlifting teams had strong performances at the state meet. The girls finished second in Class I for 1A and 2A schools and the boys were third in 1A.
“We responded to the challenge,” said Coach Kenneth Nelson.
Two Bulldogs – senior Jaleen Perteet and sophomore Tydarrius Wiliams – and one Lady Bulldog – senior A’gneshia Henderson – won individual state championships.
But it took more than one girl to be state runner-up and more than two boys to finish third.
Six other girls finished in the top five for their weight classes. Shawnessy Martin and Jailyn Riley were second, Keloni Thurmond third, Amber Harmon, Kristal Wilson and Alyssa Newsome fifth.
For the boys, Chris Harmon and Malique Greer were fourth and D.K. Williams sixth.
“With COVID and the uncertainty of playing it was a difficult year,” Ross said of 2021. He is also the athletic director.
He said this week’s holiday tournament hosted by McAdams is an annual highlight as one of the state’s premier holiday tournaments with some excellent matchups.
“The tournament is McAdams sports. You have Kosciusko girls, one of the top teams in 4A playing one of the top teams in 5A (Holmes County Central),” he said.
Looking ahead to 2022, McAdams will begin fielding a softball team.
“Things are moving in the right direction,” Ross said.
