Germantown advances to first state title game in program history

Germantown boys basketball rolled over Biloxi 55-30 in the MHSAA 7A semifinals on Monday afternoon to advance to the first state title game in program history.

After a tight first quarter where the Mavericks led 14-11, Germantown ramped up the defensive intensity and held Biloxi to 19 points for the rest of the game to earn the victory. 

“We had a couple of busted coverages on the pick-and-roll in that first quarter, which is something we practice every day, so that was something we felt good about fixing,” Germantown Head Coach Chris Love said. “Once we fixed things defensively, we were able to build on that for the rest of the game.”

Jackson State signee Mike Williams led the way in the scoring department for the Mavericks, totaling 20 points and four rebounds in the win. 

“I knew Mike (Williams) was going to have a great game, because he has been energized since eight o’clock this morning,” Love said. “He always plays with a high level of energy, he has that Russell Westbrook type of energy that he plays with.”

Williams will now have one more game at the high school level with his brother, Mason Williams, who also stars at guard for Germantown.

“It will definitely be heartbreaking for me to not be able to play with him again in high school,” Mike Williams said. “Hopefully we can go out with a win, that’s the goal for us.”

Junior Sam Funches, who is a top-50 nationally ranked recruit, also provided a spark on both ends of the court, totaling 12 points and four rebounds, along with two blocks on the defensive end. 

The Mavericks are now one win away from the first state title in program history, in a season where they have consistently been 7A’s top-ranked team, reaching new heights for boys basketball at Germantown. 

Coach Love has generated one of the most impressive turnarounds of anyone in the state with the Germantown program, after taking the job in 2022. Love came over from Velma Jackson, where he won a state title and finished as a runner-up twice in five years.

“It’s a great feeling to make it to the finals and we are a step closer this year than we were last year, but making the championship game is not our goal, it’s winning it,” Love said. “We want to finish the job on Thursday.”

Germantown will now shift their focus towards a familiar foe in the 7A championship games, as they will take on intra-county rival Madison Central. 

The championship game between Madison County rivals will be on Thursday at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, with tip-off set for 8 PM.