Boys basketball team District 1-5A champs

The boys basketball team won the District 1-5A championship after defeating Lake Cormorant 62-43.

Also at the Feb. 14 district tournament, Decorian Payton was named Region 1-5A Player of the Year and head coach Newton Mealer was named Region 1-5A Coach of the Year. Payton was also chosen MVP for Region 1-5A. Kaeden Laws, Jacquez Hardin and Zandon Haralson were selected for All Region, and Jhamal Ross was named Honorable Mention.

At the district tournament, the girls basketball team beat Lake Cormorant 55-19. Candice Buford and Hope Mealer were selected to the All Region Team and Tieraney Bolton was named Honorable Mention. The Lady Mustangs advanced to the first round of the state playoffs but their season ended with a 75-39 loss to Neshoba Central Feb. 17.

Two Mustangs this season have also been recognized for scoring 1,000 career points.

Payton, a senior and 6-foot-6-inch forward for the Mustangs, was presented with his 1,000 point basketball Jan. 24. He is the third player in school history to achieve this goal.

“With the schedule that we have played it really was a huge accomplishment,” Payton said. “Scoring 1,000 points was a goal of mine going into my senior year because I felt as if it was a milestone that would boost my confidence.”

Laws, a 6-foot-5-inch small forward/shooting guard for the Mustangs, was presented with his 1,000 point basketball Jan. 31.

“It feels good to score my 1,000th point, and being the second junior to do that,” Laws said. “Obviously winning district feels great, but it’s just another checkpoint on our way to state.”

The Mustangs will play Vicksburg Feb. 22 in the second round of basketball playoffs.

Trinity Waldrip contributed to this story.