By Stan Caldwell/Sports Writer

JACKSON — Sandra Rushing called it, “a learning experience,” and it was that, even if the lesson was a harsh one.

Rushing’s Harrison Central girls ran into a buzzsaw in the Class 7A State Championship Game, as Starkville used its superior size and experience to decimate the Red Rebelettes 39-22 Friday night at the Mississippi Coliseum.

The Yellowjackets (31-3) won their sixth state title, while Harrison Central (27-6) was denied it 14th championship in its 19th trip to the state finals.

“I don’t want people to judge us for what we didn’t accomplish,” said Rushing, the former longtime college coach who finished her second season at HC.

“Let’s talk about the things we have accomplished. We’ve faced a lot of adversity this year. There are a lot of things that I’m really proud of for this team. I haven’t been in the locker room yet, but I want them to know that.”

This one got away from the Rebelettes from the start. Starkville led all the way, opening the game with a 6-0 spurt, fueled by senior Jada Gay, who had 15 points and 9 rebounds to earn game Most Valuable Player honors.

After missing two shots on the opening possession of the game, the ‘Jackets took a missed 3-point shot down the floor for Gay’s layup on a drive down the right baseline following a turnover.

Gay put back a missed 3-ball following another turnover, then fed senior Logan Warren for a wide-open shot in the lane from six feet.

Harrison Central rallied briefly, scoring five unanswered points, on two foul shots by sophomore P.J. Floyd, then the Red Rebelettes converted a turnover into their first, and only, field goal of the first quarter, a 3-pointer from junior Krista Clark.

But Gay answered with a trey from the top of the key, then got another putback layup to finish the first quarter with the Yellowjackets leading 11-5. The Rebelettes never got closer the rest of the game.

“I feel like this game really taught us something valuable,” said Floyd, who led HC with 11 points and 6 rebounds.

“Starkville’s a great team, so maybe it will motivate us to come back, work harder, and maybe we’ll get the gold ball next year.”

Starkville brought an intimidating front line featuring three six-footers, Gay, who stands 6-foot3, and seniors Jade Brown (6-3) and Yasmine Roberts (6-2), neither of who scored much, but were smothering on defense.

The Yellowjackets used their size to effectively take HC junior center Saniyah Murray out of the game.

“It was very tough,” said Murray. “I had four people around me every time I touched the ball. I just did the best that I could.

“We’re just going to work harder, be in the gym every day, try to play together with the boys, and just try to get better as a team.”

The 6-4 Murray was held to just six points, and never got anything going offensively until it was too late to matter.

“That was absolutely the difference,” said Rushing. “I mean, that would have been my game plan, and you can see the score, right?

“I am disappointed about their second and third shots. I do agree that they are bigger and they have size. But it takes no talent to block out. It takes heart and effort. I think the big stages might have been a little too much for us, but it’s been a great experience.”

Starkville owned a 30-25 edge in rebounds and forced 16 turnovers. The ‘Jackets also started five seniors, while the Rebelettes started all underclassmen, an that experience showed up.

Any chance of a comeback for Harrison Central died in the second quarter, as Starkville outscored HC 10-2 in the period to lead 21-7 at halftime.

The Red Rebelettes didn’t reach double figures until the 2:02 mark of the third quarter, when Floyd converted a pair of free throws.

Although the defeat stung, Rushing could take plenty of solace from knowing she has all five starters back next season, although she tapped the breaks a bit on anticipation.

“Nothing’s guaranteed next year,” Rushing said. “It’s up and down, and you never know from year-to-year.

“But we do plan on being back here next year. It just that with young kids, they’ve got to grow up, and I’m going to be with them every step of the way. I love this team, and they really do mean a lot to me. We’ve just got to get to work.”

And her players are ready to get back at it already.

“It feels great that we were one of the two teams playing for a state championship,” said Floyd. “I think we can repeat what we did this year. We’re disappointed, but we feel good about the season, and we’re going to get back to work to do it again next year.”