Huddleston leads SA girls to win over Heritage

Huddleston

DANNY P. SMITH

Starkville Academy's Tiffany Huddleston plans to sign a scholarship to play soccer at Mississippi State today.

On the even of one of the biggest moments of her life, Huddleston showed she is pretty good on the basketball court as well.

Huddleston led the Lady Volunteers with 16 points and six steals during a 74-36 victory over the rival Heritage Academy Lady Patriots Tuesday night.

"This is a big week for Tiffany," Starkville Academy girls coach Glenn Schmidt said. "She's playing her last two basketball games in front of her home crowd and she's signing a national letter of intent to play soccer at Mississippi State, but to be honest, every week is a big week for Tiffany Huddleston. Everything she does, she does big. Whether it's representing school at student council, reading announcements or studying, it's just her.

"She was out of the starting blocks (Tuesday night). She got us going."

The Lady Vols, who improved their record to 33-0, jumped out to a 31-4 lead against the Lady Patriots at the end of the first quarter with Huddleston scoring eight points.

Starkville Academy increased the margin to 45-17 by halftime.

"The last time we played them it took a lot longer to get the flow going," Huddleston said. "I just wanted to jump out early and end the game before it started."

Huddleston was one of four Lady Vols to score in double digits. Maggie Proffitt added 14 points, while Anna Lea Little chipped in 13 points and Nora Kathryn Carroll contributed 10 points. Post players Sallie Kate Richardson and Janiece Pigg had eight points each.

"We ended up having a well-balanced offensive night," Schmidt said. "The defense was good."

Little and Richardson had seven rebounds each to lead SA, while Pigg and Proffitt pulled down six boards each.

The Lady Vols shot 49 percent (33-of-67) from the field and out-rebounded Heritage 36-20.

Schmidt was pleased to see SA play well in the next to last home game of the season.

"It was just a good opportunity for the seniors," Schmidt said. "We play Jackson Academy Friday in a non-conference game, but it's a huge game with it being JA and it's our seniors last home game. We'd like for as many people to come out and cheer them on. We sure appreciate what they do."