Good job by tourney hosts

by Joe Buck Coates

Copiah County pulled a rare double-double in sports last week.

First off, two schools in the county hosted post-season basketball tournaments–the MPSA south state AA at Copiah Academy, and the Region 6-3A at Crystal Springs.  By all counts, visitors to our area enjoyed the hospitality provided by both schools.  Fans came from as far as Baton Rouge to view games in Gallman.  In Crystal Springs, the Indians and Lady Indians from Hazlehurst did battle with their division foes and fared well.

So far as has been reported to us, both tournaments were completed without a hitch–a good testament to the months of preparations by the schools and the great work ethic exhibited by the many parents and volunteers and by the teachers, coaches and administrators of each host.  Congratulations on a job well done!

The other side of the double-double is the fact that two teams from our county won their respective post-season district tournaments.  The Wesson Lady Cobras, regular season 6-2A champs, won their tournament at Enterprise and was probably the least surprising of the two. The Hazlehurst Indians also won their tournament, the 6-3A at Crystal Springs, but in more improbable fashion.  The Indians knocked off number-one seeded Raymond to earn the title.

It was a good week for basketball in the county and a good week for local hospitality, as well.  While winning championships swells local pride, the latter means so much more, especially in times like these.