Matthew Adams
Assistant Editor

The NBA has witnessed a significant shift with a trade that many will talk about for years to come. Luka Doncic, former Dallas Mavericks superstar has been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-team trade.

Players, sports personalities, and the whole internet were collectively in shock as NBA reporter Shams Charnia announced the news. 

The initial report stated, “BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic, and Maxi Kleber to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Three-team trade deal that includes Utah.”

As part of the trade, the Utah Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino from the Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick, as well as the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection.

Doncic was on pace to reconstruct and possibly sign a supermax contract that would have been upwards of $345 million dollars. He would lose close to 116 million dollars by being traded.

Doncic left the Mavericks averaging a near triple-double with 28.1 points, 7.3 assists, and 8.3 rebounds. As one-star player leaves the Mavericks, another is determined to make his mark on a new team.

Davis joins Kyrie Irving and crew on another Western Conference team. The former Lakers champion left the Lakers averaging 25.7 points, 3.4 assists, and 11.9 rebounds.

Many NBA players were in shock after the trade occurred. Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards articulated what many have been saying during a locker room interview.

Edwards stated, “They say that no one knew about the trade… at 25, they probably traded the best scorer in the NBA at 25, and he didn’t know about it. It’s a lot more digging someone has to do,” said Edwards. “You don’t just trade him at 25, he just went to the finals…I feel bad for Luka.”

ESPNs First Take hosts Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe would join the disbelief. Both would share with an audience of millions the feelings they have towards this trade.

“There has to be so much more to how bad things were between him and the Mavericks organization. If they got love for you or whatever, they (are going) to let your agent know. They (are going) to tip you off. What they are not going to do is cost you over a $100 million dollars.” Smith explained.

The trade sparked major reactions, even Jackson State University students would share the same sentiments as the sports commentators.

Jarrett Brown, a junior graphic design major from Inland Empire, Calif., was initially unimpressed by the trade but later realized Doncic could add immense value to the Lakers organization.

“As a Lakers fan, at first I was a little hurt because of all that Anthony Davis did for the franchise but then I realized when an opportunity to get a generational talent like Luka falls into your lap you gotta take it,” said Brown.  “As a basketball move, this sets the Lakers up for the future when Bron (Lebron) retires… It’s always going to be Lakers in 5.”

Marrion Longino, a freshman management major from Ridgeland Miss. feels as if Doncic was not treated fairly.

Longino stated, “I personally feel like the ownership shipped off prime Luka Doncic out of pure greed and spite. The rich get richer as far as the Lakers are concerned,” said Longino. “I don’t see why the GM (General Manager) of the Mavs is getting so much hate when he is the mere scapegoat of this situation.”

Doncic made his epic Lakers debut on Feb. 10, 2025. 

NBA star Derrick Rose, who was the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft of his hometown Chicago Bulls and earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2011, announced his retirement on Sept. 26 via Instagram. 

At just 22 years old, Rose became the youngest winner of the MVP award in NBA history, cementing his place in basketball history as a young and exceptional talent.

As the number one overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Rose arrived in the league with great fanfare, joining the Bulls. Standing at 6-foot-3, the point guard swiftly established himself as one of the NBA’s most electrifying young stars, captivating fans with a dynamic blend of athleticism and fearless playmaking.

In his rookie season, Rose demonstrated his rightful place in the NBA by averaging 16.8 points per game, shooting 47.5 percent from the field, distributing 6.3 assists per game (leading all rookies), and grabbing 3.9 rebounds.

He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and won the Rookie of the Year award. Furthermore, Rose led the Bulls back to the playoffs and scored 36 points in his debut against the Boston Celtics, underscoring his tremendous impact on the team in his inaugural season.

In 2008-09, Rose was named the Rookie of the Year and went on to be an All-Star for three consecutive seasons. In the 2010-11 season, he made history by becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history, claiming the honor at 22 years old. That year, he averaged 25.0 points and 7.7 assists per game, guiding the Bulls to a league-best record of 62-20 before reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

Rose’s career took an unfortunate turn when he suffered an ACL injury in the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs. He missed the entire 2012-13 season and played only 10 games in 2013-14. After eight years with the Bulls, including a historic MVP award, Rose was traded to the New York Knicks during the 2016 offseason. Plagued by injuries, he became a journeyman during the latter half of his career.

Despite the challenges posed by injuries, Rose continued to exhibit flashes of MVP-caliber play throughout his career. He made headlines with a career-high 50-point performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a thrilling 128-125 victory over the Utah Jazz on Oct. 31, 2018, sparking tears of joy in the athlete. 

In another display of his exceptional passing ability, he recorded a 12-assist game for the Detroit Pistons in a 115-107 triumph over the Houston Rockets on Dec. 14, 2019 – his first such feat in nearly eight years.

In a tweet, NBA Hall of Famer Dwayne Wade recognized Rose as an electrifying talent, stating, “One of the most electrifying players the game has ever seen. Appreciate everything you brought to the game, Drose.” Wade’s praise highlights Rose’s impact on the sport and his place in basketball history.

Malik Alexander, a junior sports media major from Dallas, Texas, expressed his sadness about Rose’s injury-plagued career, stating, “It’s very sad to see the downfall of a potential NBA MVP and future Hall of Famer. We need to celebrate his resilience, even after battling so many injuries.” 

Alexander added, “His story serves as a valuable life lesson, reminding us that no matter what obstacles we face, we can overcome them with determination and perseverance.” Alexander stated.

Another Jackson State student shared the same sentiment.

Christopher Wright, a senior journalism and media studies major from Ensley, Ala., believes that basketball is not over for Rose.

“Although his playing days may be behind him, there are still opportunities for him to remain involved in the game. He could explore coaching, guiding players, and sharing his knowledge. There’s also the option of broadcasting, where he can provide insights and analysis,” Wright stated.

In his retirement announcement, he published a heartfelt letter online and a full-page newspaper ad in each of the cities where he played.

“You believed in me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else was uncertain. You’ve guided me, assuring me that you’ll always be a part of me regardless of where life takes me,” said Rose.

Rose’s NBA career concluded with an average of 17.4 points and 5.2 assists in 723 games, where he started in 518 games.

The NFL’s third week saw a mix of high-scoring contests and thrilling finishes. Here’s a quick recap of the major highlights and storylines from the action-packed weekend.

The New York Jets opened week three of the 2024 NFL season with a victory over the New England Patriots on Sept. 19. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, increasing the Jets’ record to 2-1 this season. 

On Sept. 22, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Los Angeles Chargers, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense contained the New Orleans Saints’ high-powered offense, and Bo Nix’s Denver Broncos defeated Baker Mayfield and the previously undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers put on a strong performance, and the Los Angeles Rams staged an impressive comeback to beat the San Francisco 49ers.

The Kansas City Chiefs narrowly overcame a challenge from Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons. Monday night witnessed the Buffalo Bills’ dominant victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and an impressive display by Jayden Daniels in the Washington Commanders’ statement win over the winless Cincinnati Bengals.

The Washington Commanders emerged victorious with a score of 38-33 over the Cincinnati Bengals. Daniels and the Commanders have found stability and comfort at the quarterback position, while Robinson and Ekeler have showcased their talent as running backs. 

With wide receivers such as Terry McLaurin, the Commanders have displayed a well-rounded offense. Kliff Kingsbury’s coordination has helped the team score in 14 consecutive full drives. The Buffalo Bills dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars with a score of 47 to 10. 

Early on, the Bills’ offensive unit, led by quarterback Josh Allen, displayed mastery and scored touchdowns on five straight drives. The first-half performance was impressive, with the team earning 19 first downs, more than any other team has achieved this season. 

Defensively, the Bills contained Trevor Lawrence effectively, holding the Jaguars to only two successful third-down conversions and sacking him four times. In a dramatic twist, the LA Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers with a score of 27-24. 

Despite the Rams being 0-2 coming into this game and the 49ers having a 14-0 lead, the Rams displayed resilience and a desperate determination. The game showcased the importance of special teams, as the 49ers were caught off guard by a fake punt executed by the Rams, which ultimately converted into a touchdown and turned the game’s tide. 

This unexpected victory for the Rams proved nothing can be taken for granted in the NFL.

Jackson State University Assistant Director for Video Services Rob Jay shared his insights. 

“I think the teams that showed significant improvement this week are the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, and Washington Commanders. On the other hand, the Cincinnati Bengals are still struggling despite their efforts, currently being winless at 0-3. The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off strong but it’s still too early in the season, with many teams improving and many possibilities left,” Jay stated.

Students at JSU also weighed in on the NFL season so far and shared their favorite teams.

Zachary Odom, a senior journalism and media major from Los Angeles, Calif., offered his opinion. 

“I believe that this season has a lot more potential, and many teams are unfortunately being given less attention. My team, the San Francisco 49ers, aren’t showing much improvement, but I believe that most of the challenges stem from injuries,” Odom stated.

Javin Cole, a senior accounting major from Austin, Texas, expressed his optimism for the upcoming season. 

“I believe it’s going to be a terrific season, with plenty of impressive quarterbacks and teams. However, the key factor in determining its success will be whether players can stay injury-free. Jaden Daniels, coming from LSU, is a promising player, having had a standout performance with zero turnovers and emerging as a breakthrough player for the Washington Commanders,” said Cole.

The third week of the NFL season has been a rollercoaster, with both underdogs and established teams showcasing their potential. 

As the competition heats up, fans can look forward to more exciting matches and surprising upsets in the weeks to come. With so many talented players and determined teams on display, the 2024 NFL season is shaping up to be one that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Matthew Adams
Managing Editor

Jackson State kicked off a week of athletic activities that encompassed all things TheeILove; bowling, golf, community services and football from April 3-7. Students, employees and alumni were excited to see what Blue & White Week had to offer

Flimeka Williams, a 1990 JSU graduate an avid football fan anticipated Thee Blue & White game the most.

“I can’t wait to see what the upcoming football team is looking like in the scrimmage game,” said Williams. “I have faith in the coaching staff and players and I think we can take the SWAC this upcoming season.”

The first event of the Blue and White Week was the Student Athlete Community Service event. There were multiple community service events that the student athletes participated in.

Student athletes traveled to the Boys and Girls Club to be of assistance. Later on in the day they would unwind and enjoy a couple of games of bowling at the Highball Lane Bowling Alley.

The next day the W.C. Gordon/Ashley Robinson Golf tournament was set to start at 8 a.m. at the Lake Caroline Golf Club. Coach T.C. Taylor and Athletic Director Ashely Robinson were in attendance.

“I want to say thank you to everyone for supporting…the Jackson State family is huge once we come together, it’s one big family,” said Robinson.

The next event would be the JSU Donor Reception, which was able to bring all the donors under one roof and have a great time.

The week culminated on April 6 with one of the most anticipated events, Thee Blue and White Game. 

Tiger fans were given four quarters of hard nose football in the form of a scrimmage. This game would showcase the level of play that the Tigers have been cultivating in the off season.

The two teams would put the first-team offense and defense on display which would show to be a solid battle between the two. The stadium was filled with excitement as the ball was kicked off to start the game.

As the first quarter began, the White team immediately showed the attendees at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium what they have been working on during the offseason. The Blue team would be trampled by great defense throughout the game, which would be a trend as the game progressed. 

The first quarter would have many moments that would put attendees on their feet. One that reflected this sentiment was when Zy McDonald from the Blue team was able to soar a pass that would put them closer to the goal line. 

This would be a futile effort as the Blue team would only settle with three making the score 6-3.

With one quarter behind and 3 more left, the second quarter would exhibit that of a SWAC championship. Defense was the key word this quarter.

The White team was able to personify the word defense a lot better this quarter as there would be a flurry of tackles for losses and PBU’s (pass break ups). The efforts of the defense would invoke a field goal from Lelani Armenta, making the score 9-3.

As the quarter progressed, the two teams would trade the three and outs until The White team would drive down the field with finesse.

The play that would lead to a touchdown would be the pass from Jacobian Morgan to Kobie Paul. The score would now be 16-3.

Mason Wallace, a sophomore graphic design major from Brandon, Miss. stated, “This was one of the more solid plays throughout the game.”

The 3rd quarter would be a quarter filled with 3 and outs but that didn’t stop a big play from occurring. Nate Blount IV subbed in and had a huge run that would unfortunately lead to a 3 and out later on.

The final quarter arrived and not much changed as the White team continued to dominate on both offense and defense. Three and outs would continue to be the trend throughout the 4th quarter.

The Blue team would squeeze another filed goal in making the score 16-9. This however wouldn’t stop the White team, even when the clock struck triple zeros.

One last play was a touchdown from Ethan Terrell, who would sneak in a quarterback run making the score 23-9.

With the spring game concluding, the next opportunity to see the Tigers will be on Aug. 29 when they face off against University of Louisiana-Monroe.

The official end of Thee Blue & White Week was the Blue & White Brunch which took place at the MBAR on April 7 at 11 a.m.

Matthew Adams
Managing Editor

Coach Tomekia Reed has been a force throughout her stint at Jackson State University but as all good things have to come to an end. 

Reed’s contract reportedly ended on Easter Sunday.

With the things she has accomplished on the court at Jackson State, I’m not sure that these types of feats can be duplicated. I also don’t think the caliber of transfers and recruits will join this team.

Coach Reed has had six straight playoff berths from 2019 to 2024, which is insane to say the least. She’s like the HBCU Dawn Staley. 

Her contract is unfortunately up but there could be some dealings under the table to get her back. I’m not sure what the university has up their sleeves to keep her but I hope that they are able to.

They can honestly make it further into the NCAA tournament if she stays. With her resume here at Jackson State, there can be a boom in any and everything dealing with women’s basketball especially since women’s basketball has been on a rise recently.

If she does leave, I hope a good school is able to get her or maybe even a struggling school so that she can revitalize the team and not just enhance the program but transform it.

It’s not even the playoff berths that will make her a good candidate for a higher level but I think it will be the SWAC Championships that she has gained throughout her stint.

Her record of 18-0 is another thing that makes this free agency bittersweet because I can’t be sure that we will ever get another season like this. Even though they have had a 18-0, every year has been above .500. 

The fact that she was able to go back-to-back then go back-to-back again. Then after the back-to-back she was able to win a fifth one. Kind of reminds me of the Bulls from 1991-1996. 

To add even more accomplishments to her resume, she was able to make three NCAA tournament appearances. That’s an amazing thing to have on your resume.

Coach Reed ‘s contract started in 2018 and was worth $1 million. Her contract extended from 2018 to 2024.

Possibly getting a new coach will be fine. My thing is if they can fill those heels Reed was known to sport on the court.

These are some insanely large shoes to fill with Coach Reed’s resume and the culture she’s built here. It’s a hard task to accomplish.

I’m not saying it can’t be done but I definitely feel like finding that right coach, possibly, can be a tough thing to do.

I am not sure who the possible candidates are but we can only hope that they are at the level or above Coach Reed ‘s coaching ability.

I believe that if she stays and Jackson State is playing their cards right, she should be staying because it’s not like she doesn’t enjoy Jackson State and the player’s she’s coached from 2018 to now.

From the interviews that I have heard, she has enjoyed herself thoroughly. Even watching some of the women’s games you can see the passion that she has for the game.

I hope we offer her a cool multi-million dollar contract. That would be hard considering all the things that she has done.

I say they give at least $10 million dollars, maybe even 15 million dollars. I know we got that for her but now that I think about it, we have to pay all the other coaches so that multi-million dollar contract might be out the window.

Whatever the case, we thank Coach Reed for all she did for JSU women’s basketball. Wherever she lands, we will be rooting for her…unless it’s another SWAC school that is.

Matthew Adams
Managing Editor

As the NFL draft draws near, teams have been constructing trades with one goal in mind, a Super Bowl win. Some teams participated in trades and were able to positively affect the future of their organization.

One trade that made front page news was the Chicago Bears Justin Fields trade. This trade was highly publicized throughout social media and sports news coverage.

Fields was on the chopping block as the 2023 season ended and many media personalities were suspicious of the trade coming to fruition. 

According to Bleacher Report, Bears General Manager Ryan Poles was hesitant to trade Fields. “Probably one of the harder things I’ve had to do,” he said. “I always kinda touch on the empathy part. Having that conversation with my own son was hard. [Fields’ jersey is] up in his room. So it kind of puts into perspective how difficult those moves are.”

The former Bears quarterback was able to amass over 40 touchdowns and throw for over 6,600 plus yards. Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick.

This would not be the only trade that the black and gold team would make. The Steelers would make another trade that would surprise many and make sense to some.

The Denver Broncos were currently going through a feud with their former quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson was benched for the final two games.

This was due to some tension with head coach Sean Payton that would ultimately end after the 2023-2024 season. As the Broncos quarterback, Wilson never made the playoffs in both seasons with the team.

The Broncos were able to make a deal with Wilson that was able to give him the veteran minimum deal that is for one-year and consists of $1.2 million.

The Steelers were not the only team to make some intense changes to the roster. The Philadelphia Eagles were also able to add some game changing players to their lineup.

One player that shocked the NFL was Saquon Barkely going to the Eagles. As a multiple 1,000-yard rusher, Barkley will now team up with the likes of Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, DaVonta Smith, and a multitude of other stars on a star-studded offense.

Barkley was made a free agent in 2023 and signed to the Eagles for $37.7 million with a guaranteed $26 million.

During his stint with the New York Giants, he put up incredible numbers. In his 6 years with the Giants, he accompanied his 5,211 yards with 35 touchdowns.

Even though Barkely was able to accomplish these feats, many wonder if his injury prone behavior is going to hinder the Eagles and their offense.

Preston Adams, a sophomore, business administration major from Chicago, Ill., shared similar disdain for his injury proneness.

“The Eagles could possibly have a liability on their hands. Hopefully he is able to be as productive as he was when he was with New York for the first 3 years with them,” said Adams.

This move to Philadelphia put some former NFL players on edge, specifically retired Giants running-back, Tiki Barber.

Barber had a few rash sentiments that he was able to share via X(formerly known as Twitter).

“You’re dead to us Saquon. Good luck, you’re dead to me,” he said in the post.

Barkley would quickly respond with a few more responses that would indicate that he did not pay much mind to the former running-back’s opinion.

Recently Stefon Diggs, a star wide-receiver from Buffalo, was traded to the Houston Texans. This comes after many blunders in the AFC championship.

Diggs will join the offensive Rookie of the Year CJ Stroud, on a young Texans offense. The former Bills receiver put together six straight 1,000-yard seasons that propelled the Bills to multiple seasons of 10 wins or more.

As trades continue within the NFL, some teams have yet to make any moves to add to their roster to ensure a successful season.

Another March Madness has rolled around and this time of the year is the definition of unpredictable. Going further is not promised but many hope to see the next round.

This year some top teams will not see the next round as the Sweet 16 is ahead of them. As of now, there are not any brackets that are perfect.

The first round was able to keep the mystique of who will become victorious through their bout. A couple of upsets that captured the attention of viewers were number 12 James Madison beating number 5 Wisconsin.

As a top 5 team, many people did not see this playing out this way. James Madison was able to beat the Badgers by double digits.

More than four players amassed double digits while the Badgers had one less at three. The Dukes were able to be slightly more efficient, which can add to the reasons why they won the game. James Madison won the game 72 to 61, eliminating the Badgers from the second round.

“James Madison really surprised me as a team to win against a Top 5 team in a power 5 conference,” said Joseph Vanhook, a junior computer science major from Chicago, Ill. He was disappointed by the loss by James Madison.

Even though the Dukes were able to win, they would lose to Duke University in the second round by an outstanding margin. The Blue Devils crushed the spirits of the Dukes with a 93-55 win.

When asked about Duke players hitting shots that brought The Dukes momentum down Julien Wooden stated, “Yea it just gave them life… you can kind of tell that it put us on our heels…it just really put us in a hole that we couldn’t get out of..I thought this team really put their heart into the game… we didn’t give up.”

Another team that had people talking was the North Carolina State Wolfpack. They have been currently climbing up the tournament ladder.

They have been a team full of upsets. They were first able to upset the number one team in ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) but before that, they were able to take the number 2 and number 3 teams in the ACC, which is unheard of as an 11th seed. 

Once they slid out of the ACC tournament, it was off to the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament. 

“I would say Sunday Night we just had this fire about us. All the practices that led up I have never seen these guys as focused as they were in my entire life, not in a singular workout, team work out or film. They have never been more locked in and that is what March is all about,” said Power Forward DJ Burns Jr., who felt confident in his team proceeding the wins.

These are not the only teams that were able to upset teams in the first and second rounds. Kentucky is one of the college teams who are well known for their recruits and the amount of talent they are able to acquire. The Wildcats disappointed many fans with their loss to the number 14 Oakland.

This game would prompt Jack Golke to score 32 points, which would all in all put the nail in the coffin for the firing of Coach Callapri.

Many on social media were prophesying Callipari to be fired after such a devastating loss. 

With these games behind many teams look to make it to the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8. March Madness is in full swing with not being sure what to expect.

Matthew Adams
Managing Editor

Throughout the history of sports there have been so many players who have had their rise to fame but whether it be injury or just bad play, their moment in history as icons was never realized.

One of these players is Derrick Rose. I feel Rose could have been one the best point guards in NBA history during his time but serious injuries prevented this from happening.

I believe that he would have had two MVPs, but around that time Kevin Durant was tearing up the league and Lebron James had made his arrival in Miami, so the chances were slim. The possibility wasn’t slim though.

Rose’s ACL injury was devastating, not just for me but for the other Bulls fans. At his peak he was averaging around 25 points.

The NBA has so many players like this which is a depressing thought when recounting how many people have stories like this. 

Brandon Roy was another NBA player who had such a bright future come to a end.

Just like Rose, the ACL was the injury that was the predictor of his fall. The ACL is such a tough injury that coming back from it is almost impossible.

Roy had basically the same archetype as Rose, the aggressive slasher point-guard. He didn’t have the same type of injury as Rose but the knee was one the main reasons he left.

He was only able to stay in the league for 6 years, which is premature for an NBA player. He definitely had a bright future ahead of him.

Greg Oden is another special case. He was the first pick of the first round but didn’t transfer when coming to the league. His first year he did not play due to knee injury and that same trend persisted throughout his career.

One year he was able to play 61 games but this deteriorated to 21 games which is insane. But  not only did Oden have many game limiting knee surgeries, he also had one shorter leg, so it was tough for him.

The NFL has many stories like this as well. One story that comes to mind is Sterling Sharpe, who played for the Green Bay Packers and is also Shannon Sharpe’s elder brother. He suffered an insane injury at the peak of his career.

He had a lower back injury that when looking back on the tape he just sat and laid there. Nobody knew if he was badly hurt, so it made it even worse when he got hurt.

He was probably the best receiver at one point. One year he had over 1,400+ yards and 90 receptions which is an amazing feat to have as a receiver.

The Ryan Shazier injury was probably one of the worst injuries I have seen and heard of. What makes his injury even worse is that he only played 4 years in the league. Then it’s the fact that he was able to make the Pro Bowl two times in a row. 

Whenever I hear one of these stories, I think about what could have been done to prevent the injury and it’s not much that you can do, especially playing a physical sport like football where your body is consistently on the line.

It’s definitely sad to see injuries like this. When you see someone who puts their all into the sport and either can’t perform at the same level or they just can’t play at all hurts.

Matthew Adams
Managing Editor

Winning has become a regular occurrence for Coach Tomekia Reed and the Jackson State women’s basketball team. For the past 4 years, the Lady Tigers have taken a trip to and won the SWAC championship.

Making the SWAC championship is one thing but playing against a rival such as Alcorn makes the stakes even higher. The game would start with the Lady Tigers playing hard defense and solid offense.

Throughout the first quarter, the Braves were not able to score until around the 4 minute and 41 second mark. The score would be 3-8.

The scoring drought from the Braves would continue. Alcorn State would only score three times extending Jackson State’s lead to 9 making the score 17-8.

The Lady Tigers would put even more pressure on the Braves throughout the second quarter. There wouldn’t be many back and forth baskets between the two teams during the quarter but this would not put a dent in the lead that Jackson State has.

Free-throws would be the main mode of scoring but nevertheless this would get the job done as the lead after the end of the second quarter would be up by two. The score is now 12-33.

The Braves would only score 4 points with those four points being a couple of free throws and one made jumper. On the contrast Jackson State was able to be dominant on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball which would translate into points.

Two quarters in and the game was still in arms reach of being a tight game but that was not the case as the third quarter would roll around. 

The three point shot would be the more consistent shot throughout the third quarter and take the Lady Tigers to a high level of play.

Even though the Braves were down by a large margin throughout the three quarters, the Braves were able to improve the amount of points that they were able to score with 11 points.

At the end of the 3rd quarter the score would be 50-23. A 27 point lead would not keep the Tigers content going into the 4th quarter. 

Entering the 4th quarter, The Braves would make an effort to cut the lead down. Alcorn would start the quarter with a layup and keep that going with a three point jumper making the score 51-28. 

The fourth quarter would show an unrelenting will to get the win from the Tigers but the Braves would put forth a strong effort as well.

During the 4th quarter there would be multiple possessions where there would be back-to-back buckets but would only push the Tigers to maintain a double digit lead.

The Tigers would be successful in keeping their lead and would win the game 68-44. Even though the Braves lost they would be able to increase the amount of points that they were during every quarter.

During the postgame conference Coach Reed would emphasize her feelings toward the opposing team. “I just want to take my hat off to Alcorn…to get to the championship game they were a very composed and great team.”

Reed would also share some more positive traits about the team stating, “ They played their pace… you couldn’t speed them up.”

With the recent rise in Women’s basketball Coach Reed had this to say. “We have elevated the game in terms of the HBCU women’s basketball team… We just hope our team will be respected where we don’t have to come in at [the] 15th seed.”

“We understand that we are an athletic team and we are better when we are rebounding.”

Miya Crump, a 6 foot 1 inch guard from Houston, TX, would retrospectively express strengths of the Jackson State team.

Jackson State students would share their thoughts on the historic night.

Christopher Moore, a junior civil engineering major from Atlanta, GA, felt as if Coach Reed is the best coach in Jackson State history.

“Jackson State has seen some ok coaches but I feel that she is really making a change in the current landscape of sports at Jackson State,” Moore stated.

Moore would state, “Even though we had Deion as the football coach, I feel like she is here to stay for the long run.”

This win would mark a historic run that Coach Reed has brought forth to the Jackson State Women’s basketball program.