Mississippi high school basketball playoffs storylines, top players, hot takes (2024)

As MHSAA Class 1A-4A have completed their first rounds, and MHSAA Class 5A-7A, along with MAIS, looks to make their way into the state playoffs and claim themselves as the best in their respective classes, the Clarion-Ledger made a breakdown of storylines, players to watch and bold predictions as teams try and make their way to the Mississippi Coliseum for girls high school basketball.

Stats provided by MaxPreps, Scorebook Live, MHSAA and MAIS.

Four storylines to watch in Mississippi basketball playoffs

Tishomingo's chance at first title

Tishomingo County is aiming for its first girls' state basketball title in program history. The Lady Braves (26-3) last reached the state championship game in 2022.

Potential clash between Class 6A heavyweights

The top two girl basketball teams in Mississippi, Neshoba Central and Hanco*ck, have a chance to meet in the semifinals of the MHSAA Class 6A state playoffs, which will attract the eyes of many high school basketball fans.

Booneville has chance to make history

The Booneville girls have a chance at history. The Lady Blue Devils have an opportunity to win three consecutive state titles with a title this season. Booneville enters the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs at 22-1 with eyes on another championship.

If there's a chance for Blue Mountain, it's now

Blue Mountain has one of its best opportunities to not only reach its first state tile but to win it. With a 25-1 record, the Lady Cougars easily swept by Thrasher in the first round of the MHSAA Class 1A playoffs.

10 players to watch

Audrianna Harris, Quitman: The senior guard has helped her team win their region title and past the first round in the Class 4A playoffs, averaging 13.7 points and 9.8 rebounds.

Nyshea Hoskin, Nanih Waiya: The junior helped lead her team past the first round of the Class 1A playoffs and to a 25-2 record. She is averaging 25.2 points per game.

Zaniya Johnson, Biloxi: While Biloxi just lost in its region title game, Johnson's court presence is seen by all. The 6-foot-3 center is averaging 17.5 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks per game.

MORE: How Taelar Felton became prolific basketball scorer despite 5-3 stature

Fran Kelly, Hernando: Leading her team in nearly every statline, Kelly is averaging 21.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.

Shamira Morton, Canton: Morton has helped Canton to a 24-4 record after a losing season last year. She averages 20.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, and six blocks per game this season.

Macie Phifer, Ingormar: The 6-0 forward averages 20.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game and is aiming to help bring Ingomar another state title.

Alana Rouser, Germantown: Rouser averages a double-double with 12.3 points and 12.2 rebounds, per game this season.

Nicole Sandifer, Magee: Sandifer, MHSAA's leading scorer, is averaging 27.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game this season.

MORE: Mississippi high school girls basketball Super 25 rankings: New No. 1 entering playoffs

Kylie Truss, Neshoba Central: Leading the Lady Rockets in almost every category, the sophom*ore is averaging 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and five steals per game.

Kayllis Walker, Laurel: The 6-0 forward averages 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds, while leading Laurel to 24-3 record and a top team in MHSAA Class 5A.

Johanna Wilson, Callaway: The 5-2 guard may be small but makes her presence vastly felt. Wilson is averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds.

Four bold predictions

Bogue Chitto stays undefeated

Bogue Chitto has not lost a game this season and will finish the year without a mark in the loss column led by Dandy Dozen star De’Mya Porter. The Lady Bobcats will win the MHSAA Class 2A state final and finish their season 31-0.

Booneville makes history

The Lady Blue Devils will win the MHSAA Class 3A state title and successfully complete MSHAA's first girl's 3-peat basketball champions behind their all-explosive offensive behind Sa’Niyah Cook. They are adjacent to the boy's team as well, who are looking to become 3-peat champions.

MRA continues dominance

Madison-Ridgeland Academy has proven overtime they are the best team in MAIS Class 6A and will continue to show it in the postseason. Led by Presley Hughes and Anna Morgan Anderson, the Lady Patriots will go back-to-back as state winners.

Laurel upsets Pontotoc

With Pontotoc being one of the top girl's teams in Mississippi and ranked No. 3 in The Clarion-Ledger's rankings, the two teams have a chance to meet in the semifinal round, where Laurel will upset the Lady Warriors. Laurel, led by Kayllis Walker and Zy Evans, will prevail, knocking out the favorite in MHSAA Class 5A.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion-Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter@MikeSChavez.