By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

JACKSON — Yet another prep basketball season came to an end Saturday night in the state of Mississippi.

Out of the 14 Gold Balls handed out over seven classifications, the Bay Springs boys were the only squad representing the South to claim one. The 13 others all went North.

In fact, all four of the largest classification boys state titles were won by teams located in the Jackson area, as Madison County squads won in Class 7-5A and Raymond won in Class 4A.

In Class 6A, Ridgeland, which eliminated Pascagoula the past two seasons in the overall Final Four, made history and got revenge in the process.

Behind the play of Class 6A “Mr. Basketball” Phil Nelson and a stout defensive effort defense that forced 34 turnovers, the Titans thumped defending state champ Olive Branch 79-53 Saturday night here at the Mississippi Coliseum.

It marked the first ever state title in school history for Ridgeland.

The Titans never trailed, as Nelson poured in a game-high 26 points to lead Ridgeland and was named the game’s most valuable player. Ashton Manuel added 20 points to the winning effort.

Olive Branch finished 25-8.

In Class 7A, Germantown also captured its first-ever Gold Ball.

The Mavericks raced past rival Madison Central 69-52 in the title tilt on Thursday night. Germantown eliminated Biloxi Monday afternoon, as the Mavericks finished the year at 29-5.

Germantown also never trailed.

In Class 5A Canton climbed past Holmes County 53-35 to claim the state Championship for the second consecutive season in front of a big crowd at the “Big House” Friday night.

It’s the third state title in school history for the Tigers, who finished at 22-10.

And in Class 4A, behind the play of Jadyn Garrett Raymond held off Morton 48-43 to claim the crown on Saturday afternoon.

The Rangers have now won back-to-back state titles and it’s Raymond’s seventh state title in school history after going 26-8 this season.

In girl’s action, in Class 7A, Tupelo also made history after holding off Starkville 62-57 in overtime to claim its second straight MHSAA Girls Class 7A State Championship on Thursday night.

It’s Tupelo’s third state title in school history, as the Lady Wave finished the year at 28-5.

Starkville stunned top-ranked Biloxi in the semifinal round Monday morning.

And, in Class 6A, Jackson Callaway slipped past West Jones 51-46 to claim the first state title in school history for the Lady Chargers.

Callaway never trailed in finishing 30-3 on the year.