A recap of all the high school achievements in the sports world throughout 2024!
We’re officially closing out the year 2024, and what an exciting chapter it’s been for our local schools on the Mississippi coast! From state championships to national recognition, to Mr. Football, Basketball, Gatorade Players of the Year and much, much more, so let’s take a look at just some of the achievements accomplished by our outstanding student athletes.
Starting the year 2024 off strong in February was the West Harrison high school cheer squad! The Hurricanes claimed their third national title, and will be looking for their fourth shortly after winning the state title just two weeks ago.
Speaking of titles, February was also the month of soccer state championships! Starting off with the back to back state champions of the Fighting Irish! The St. Patrick’s girls team won in dominating fashion, beating their opponent 7-0. They weren’t the only back to back winners on the coast, the Bay High boys team won their second soccer state championship in a row as well. Their attacking midfielder, Aiden Boudro, was also named the soccer Gatorade Player of the Year later on in June, which is the highest individual honor for a soccer player. The Tigers weren’t the ones raising the gold ball, as the Long Beach boys team won not their first, not their second or third, but fourth straight championship title. Now that is what you call a dynasty!
From a dynasty to a dynamic player in the form of Pascagoula’s Dorian McMillian! The panther point guard took home Mr. Basketball honors for class 6A, and he has continued his impressive high school career to his freshman year currently at Jackson State University.
Our coast athletes have been tearing up the lanes this year as well. The Long Beach high school girls bowling team captured their third consecutive state championship title.
We can bowl and we can also lift! The Gautier girls squad got things started off for us, bringing a state title to the gators, and soon after them was another dynasty in the form of Gulfport high school! They won their 7th state title in the last eight years alone.
From the rack to the court, the coast is home to several talented tennis players! St. Stanislaus and OLA won back to back titles in class 3A, while Long Beach and Resurrection Catholic boys took home the gold in doubles.
If you’re looking for a track and field powerhouse, look no further! The coast was home to nine state championship athletes in events like long jump, triple jump, discus and much more. Making noise since she was in the seventh grade, Biloxi’s Julie Segroves not only won state in pole vault, but broke the state record and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for track and field.
The coast was also home to two state championship baseball teams! Class 6A was taken over by the George County Rebels and winning class 5A was the Vancleave Bulldogs.
From state recognition to national recognition, Tyse Love from Gulfport was named to the USA Junior Olympic team in July! What an outstanding achievement by an incredible young man!
Headed to the volleyball court now, the coast was home to two Miss Volleyball winners in the form of Gulfport Lyndi “Izzi” Barnes and Myah Favre. Favre and her Lady Crescents would go on to win their third straight volleyball state championship in Jackson.
From Jackson to Tupelo, our swim teams dominated in the lanes this year as well! State champions came from Pascagoula, Pearl River Central, St. Stanislaus, and St. Patrick. St. Patrick stayed on the podium when it came to cross country, as their boys team took home state championship honors.
We’re off to the links now as both the Hancock boys and Hancock girls team take home the state championship title. Our Lady Academy girls also won state for class one and the St. Patrick Boys winning class 3A. Individual honors go to Karstyn Altese, Logan Jensen, and Carissa Hester.
Closing out the 2024 year is an incredible coast football season! St. Stanislaus kicker Evan Noel broke the state record with a 61-yard field goal. He will continue his career with the Florida Gators.
Next is George County’s Deuce Knight, who tied the state record for nine total touchdowns, accounting for over 650 yards. He’ll be continuing his career with Auburn University.
Keeping the tradition alive, Gautier’s dual threat quarterback Trey Irving received the title of Mr. Football for class 5A. He helped lead the Gators to their first ever state championship appearance.
History was broken many times this year, and the Poplarville football team is the icing on the cake. The Poplarville Hornets won their very first football state championship title! What an incredible way to end the outstanding year for high school athletics on the Mississippi Coast!