Mississippi
Here are Mississippi high school boys basketball standouts midway through the season
At the midway point in the 2023-24 high school basketball season, The Clarion-Ledger has looked at the top boys basketball players in the area with a little more than a month left in the regular season.
Down below, you can see players who have performed beyond expectations and have helped their respective schools so far this season.
Statistics were compiled from coaches’ submissions or found on MaxPreps.
Jordan Ben, Neshoba Central: Ben is averaging 24 points, which is leading in MHSAA Class 6A.
Troy Brown, Northeast Lauderdale: Brown is averaging 11.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals.
Brewer Carruth, Parklane Academy: Carruth is averaging 20 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
Sam Funches, Germantown: Funches is averaging 18.3 points, 11 rebounds and 6.2 blocks.
Jamichael Green, South Delta: Green is averaging 19.7 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 44% from the field.
Jaylen Haliburton, Brookhaven: Haliburton is averaging 18.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 steals while shooting 43% from the field.
Caleb Hearns, Coahoma County: Hearns is averaging 11.1 rebounds and 7.4 points.
Tamarion Hoover, Yazoo City: Hoover is averaging 16.8 points and 6.7 rebounds and is shooting 42.7% from the field.
Cayden Howell, Saltillo: Howell is averaging 21 points 6.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
John Hudson Word, Central Holmes Christian: Word is averaging 22.9 points and 1.9 rebounds.
Matt Krass, St. Patrick: Krass is averaging 27.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Latreyveon Lowe, Collins: Lowe is averaging 14.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.
Ashton Magee, Madison-Ridgeland Academy: Magee is averaging 15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 52% from the field.
Stephen McCollun Jr., Hattiesburg: McCullon is averaging 17.6 points, 2.2 steals and 1.5 rebounds.
Ayden McDeavitt, Tishomingo County: McDeavitt is averaging 18.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 46% from the field.
Dorian McMillian, Pascagoula: McMillian is averaging 15.3 points and 4.3 rebounds.
Dallas Pounds, New Site: Pounds is averaging 23.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.3 steals.
Ty Ramsey, Belmont: Ramsey is averaging 22.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Jay Rankin, Mendenhall: Rankin is averaging 8.5 points, 7.5 assists and 4.3 steals.
MUST READ: How Raymond’s Eric Paymon Jr. has developed into one of Mississippi’s top basketball prospects
Kendrick Simmons, Booneville: Simmons is averaging 18 points and seven rebounds.
Quey’sean Taylor, Moss Point: Taylor is averaging 15.4 points, nine rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Avery Thomas II, Terry: Thomas is averaging 15.9 points and 10.1 rebounds.
Michael Wallace, McLaurin: Wallace is averaging 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 44% from the field.
Mike Williams, Jackson Academy: Williams is averaging 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.3 steals shooting 50% from the field.
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.
San Francisco Dons (5-4) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-4)
Tupelo, Mississippi; Sunday, 4 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bulldogs -4.5; over/under is 147.5
BOTTOM LINE: San Francisco and Mississippi State square off at Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi.
The Bulldogs have a 4-4 record against non-conference oppponents. Mississippi State is 2-4 against opponents with a winning record.
The Dons are 5-4 in non-conference play. San Francisco is 0-1 in one-possession games.
Mississippi State scores 80.4 points, 11.8 more per game than the 68.6 San Francisco gives up. San Francisco averages 75.7 points per game, 4.6 fewer than the 80.3 Mississippi State gives up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Hubbard is scoring 23.5 points per game with 3.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Bulldogs. Jayden Epps is averaging 14.8 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 46.3%.
Ryan Beasley averages 1.8 made 3-pointers per game for the Dons, scoring 13.1 points while shooting 31.8% from beyond the arc. Mookie Cook is averaging 12 points and 5.4 rebounds.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 6, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 6 drawing
01-03-22-30-33
Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 6 drawing
Midday: 5-7-2, FB: 1
Evening: 1-1-0, FB: 3
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 6 drawing
Midday: 4-3-1-2, FB: 1
Evening: 6-8-0-8, FB: 3
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 6 drawing
Midday: 13
Evening: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football fired defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler, a source told The Clarion Ledger on Dec. 6.
The source requested anonymity because an announcement has not been made.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are expected to target former coach and defensive coordinator Zach Arnett as his replacement, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Dec. 6.
Hutzler was in his second season at Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs finished 5-7 and the season ended on Nov. 28 in a 38-19 loss to Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.
The early signing period covering three days ended Dec. 5.
Hutzler was hired by MSU coach Jeff Lebby before the 2024 season, but his defense has been statistically at or near the bottom in the SEC in both seasons. The 2024 defense was last in the SEC with 34.1 points allowed per game, nearly 10 points worse than the next worst team. MSU’s 2025 defense was slightly better but still at the bottom of the SEC.
Arnett was an analyst at Florida State in 2025.
Hutzler’s contract was set to expire after the 2026 season.
Mississippi State’s defense under Coleman Hutzler
The Bulldogs struggled badly defending the run in 2024. They allowed 216.9 rushing yards per game, the fifth most in the country. The pass rush wasn’t good either with just 10 total sacks on the season. Oregon State was the only team with fewer sacks than Mississippi State.
MSU prioritized upgrading its defensive front in 2025, and the early returns were positive. Will Whitson, a Coastal Carolina transfer, was a disruptive pass rusher until he suffered a season-ending injury in the first half of the Week 2 game against Arizona State. Despite the injury, Whitson was still tied for second on the team by the end of the regular season with two sacks.
The MSU defense particularly struggled in the last month of the season with the run defense as the root. The last five opponents all scored at least 35 points.
The Bulldogs were 15th in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 29.2 points per game, and last in rushing defense with 189.5 rushing yards per game.
Coleman Hutzler buyout, contract details
Hutzler signed a three-year contract worth $1 million annually as the highest-paid assistant coach on MSU’s staff. It was set to expire in January 2027.
Mississippi State must pay him his remaining salary as if it were to naturally expire. Payments will be made in equal monthly installments. His contract does have a duty to mitigate clause.
What to know about Zach Arnett
Arnett was the defensive coordinator at MSU from 2020-22 under coach Mike Leach. Then when Leach died in December 2022, Arnett was promoted as the head coach, only to be fired 10 games into the 2023 season.
The Bulldogs had the No. 6 scoring defense in the SEC in 2020, No. 9 in 2021 and No. 7 in 2022.
Arnett was an analyst at Ole Miss in 2024 after he was fired by MSU.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Chechen leader threatens Zelenskyy amid drone strike, echoes alleged assassination plot
NYC mayor-elect tells residents how to resist ICE agents knocking at their door in new video
Popular sleep positions could be damaging your nerves, according to experts
Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds miss out on latest chance to enter Baseball Hall of Fame
Harvard hit by new breach after phone phishing attack
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
NYC mayor-elect tells residents how to resist ICE agents knocking at their door in new video
Hamas and Israel move towards phase two of US-backed Gaza plan
Ilhan Omar says Trump’s anti-Somali tirade ‘completely disgusting’
Congress faces holiday crunch as health care fix collides with shrinking calendar
European Greens declare Usula von der Leyen`’s EPP enemy number one
-
Politics5 days agoTrump rips Somali community as federal agents reportedly eye Minnesota enforcement sweep
-
Ohio3 days agoWho do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Alaska1 day agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
News5 days agoTrump threatens strikes on any country he claims makes drugs for US
-
World5 days agoHonduras election council member accuses colleague of ‘intimidation’
-
Texas1 day agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Politics6 days agoTrump highlights comments by ‘Obama sycophant’ Eric Holder, continues pressing Senate GOP to nix filibuster
-
Politics7 days agoWar Sec Pete Hegseth shares meme of children’s book character firing on narco terrorist drug boat