By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

HATTIESBURG — The overall state prep softball championships start Tuesday here at the University of Southern Mississippi Softball Complex, and it won’t take long for George County to see some action.

The Lady Rebels will jump in to action against upstart Neshoba Central at 2:15 p.m., Tuesday afternoon in the second game of the day. George County and the Lady Rockets will wage a best-of-three battle this week to decide the Class 6A state champion.

“We are excited for the opportunity,” first-year GCHS head coach Anna Grace Cooley said, Monday afternoon. “All the work put in since January has brought us to this moment. We will have to stay within ourselves, not let the moment get too big, and really just be in the moment. These girls were made for this, and I have all the belief in every single one of them!”

The Lady Rebels swept Region 4-6A rival Hancock in two games late last week at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to wrestle the South State title away from the Lady Hawks and move on to the Hub City.

Addison Davis tossed a complete game four-hit shutout with nine strikeouts Saturday as the Lady Rebels wrapped it up with a 1-0 win. She also earned a save in a 3-2 game one win, after replacing starter Peyton Collins who was also impressive in the circle as she worked six solid stanzas allowing just three hits and two runs while striking out eight to earn the win.

George County stands an impressive 30-2 on the season after recording its fourth consecutive win over Hancock this year. Many felt like whoever won that series would face defending Class 6A state champion South Panola this week for the title, but Neshoba Central had other ideas.

The Lady Rockets captured a three game war over the Lady Tigers, winning the rubber match at home 7-2 Friday. South Panola, which swept Hancock in two games for the state title last year, entered the series at 29-2 overall but suddenly sits at home at 30-4 after the huge upset by Neshoba Central.

The Lady Rockets also won game two 7-6 on the road in Batesville, after falling to visiting SPHS 6-0 in the opener. Neshoba Central managed just three hits in the decisive win Friday, and they beat two-time and reigning Class 6A “Miss Softball” Sadie Bright in the state Lady Tiger senior standout pitcher Sadie Bright twice in the series.

Bright registered both wins in the state finals against Hancock last season.

Neshoba Central is 22-9 overall this season.

Game two of the Class 6A state championship series is set for Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. A third and deciding game, if needed, would take place either Friday or Saturday.