Mississippi's MHSAA High School Boys Basketball Champions Crowned

Seven new state champions were crowned across the Magnolia State's seven high school classifications.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The 2026 MHSAA boys basketball state championships concluded this weekend in Jackson, with seven new champions crowned across the organization's seven classifications. The Starkville Yellowjackets took the top-level Class 7A title, while the Pascagoula Panthers, Calhoun City Wildcats, Morton Panthers, Columbus Falcons, and North Side Gators also won championships in their respective classes.

Why it matters

The MHSAA state basketball championships are a highly anticipated annual event in Mississippi, showcasing the top high school talent in the state. With no repeat champions this year, the results highlight the competitive balance and depth of basketball programs across the Magnolia State.

The details

In the Class 7A final, Starkville defeated defending champion Germantown 40-36, overcoming the early loss of star point guard Terrell Warren Jr. to foul trouble. Pascagoula won its first-ever Class 6A title, edging Terry 56-54 in a nail-biter. Calhoun City ended a 38-year championship drought by winning the Class 1A crown. Morton rallied from a halftime deficit to beat Leake Central 67-55 and claim the Class 4A trophy, their first since 1998. Columbus and North Side were victorious in the Class 5A and 2A finals, respectively.

  • The MHSAA boys basketball state championships concluded on Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • The Class 7A final between Starkville and Germantown took place on Friday, March 7, 2026.
  • The Class 6A championship game between Pascagoula and Terry was played on Thursday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Starkville Yellowjackets

The Starkville High School boys basketball team, who won the Class 7A state championship.

Pascagoula Panthers

The Pascagoula High School boys basketball team, who won the Class 6A state title, the first in program history.

Calhoun City Wildcats

The Calhoun City High School boys basketball team, who won the Class 1A state championship, ending a 38-year title drought.

Morton Panthers

The Morton High School boys basketball team, who won the Class 4A state title, their first since 1998.

Columbus Falcons

The Columbus High School boys basketball team, who won the Class 5A state championship.

North Side Gators

The North Side High School boys basketball team, who won the Class 2A state title.

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The takeaway

With no repeat champions this year, the MHSAA boys basketball state championships showcased the depth and competitive balance of high school basketball programs across Mississippi, as seven new teams were crowned state titlists.