Sports
Vicksburg’s Jae’la Smith named Player of the Game for Pearl River CC
CARTHAGE, Texas (VDN) — Vicksburg native Jae’la Smith was named Player of the Game for Pearl River Community College on Friday after leading the team to a 54-52 win over Kilgore College. The sophomore standout scored 16 points in the win that came down to the finals seconds of the game. She also had 10 rebounds and three assists.
Smith is in her second year with the program and is off to a great start. In high school, she starred at both Warren Central and Porter’s Chapel Academy.
Pearl River (1-0 overall) kicked off the Govan‑Williams era in dramatic fashion, defeating No. 8 Kilgore (1-1) 54‑52.
“Being able to come out and start it off the right way at Pearl River means a lot,” Govan-Williams said. “I attribute this game to my players—their willingness to trust me as their head coach, but most importantly, their willingness to fight. We always talk about players being an extension of the head coach, and tonight, I took pride in that.”
In a hostile environment tied at 52, head coach Shenea Govan-Williams called a timeout to draw up a potential game-winning play. With 12.3 seconds left on the clock, the Wildcats couldn’t get the shot to fall, and Kilgore got the rebound.
The spotlight found the freshman Jahanna Wilson (Jackson; Callaway) in a one-on-one situation as Kilgore passed the ball behind the defense and up court to a lone Ranger. Baptized by fire in her first collegiate game, Wilson came up big and ripped the ball out of the Kilgore players’ hands.
Wilson then passed the ball out of traffic to Mattison Bell(Philadelphia, Miss.; Choctaw Central), who dribbled up court with the clock ticking down. Bell delivered a pinpoint pass into the paint to Cy’Nara Robinson (McGehee, Ark.).
In a scene straight out of a movie, Robinson shot the layup, and as time expired the ball went in. From there, the celebration ensued as Govan-Williams coached Pearl River to its first ranked win since November 20, 2023, against Shelton State.
“We practice that exact situation every day, whether it’s 30 or 45 seconds,” Govan-Williams said. “Mattison was so poised, watching the clock with six seconds left, making the big play to Cy’nara, getting her feet under her, and being so confident to make that last shot. I think that came down to what we preach every day in practice.”
FIRST HALF
The Wildcats got off to a slow start, as Kilgore raced out to an early 6-0 lead. Bell was the first Wildcat to score in the 2025-26 campaign, hitting a jumper off a steal by Madison Hughes (Olive Branch; Center Hill), assisted by Jae’la Smith (Vicksburg, Porter’s Chapel).
After that basket, Kilgore maintained their pressure and surged ahead 11-2. Pearl River responded as Hughes and Smith each hit jump shots, and Bell drained a wide-open three, closing the first quarter at 19-8.
The second quarter began with Pearl River going on a 7-2 run, fueled by five points from Robinson and a layup from Wilson, cutting the deficit to 20-16. From there, the teams traded baskets until halftime, with Kilgore holding a 31-24 lead.
SECOND HALF
After the half, Pearl River went on another run, this time a 7-0 surge capped by a Bell jumper to tie the game at 31-31.
The third quarter remained a back-and-forth battle. Hughes led the Wildcats offensively, scoring on a five-foot pull-up jumper and a layup, as Pearl River trailed 44-41 heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter, Wilson took over, scoring seven straight points to put the Wildcats ahead 52-47. The Rangers managed to tie the game, but chaos ensued in the closing moments, and Pearl River ultimately opened the season with a victory.
LEADING THE WAY
Smith had 16 points, going 7-10 from the field. Hughes was next up in points for Pearl River, scoring 10 with three blocks. Robinson was possibly the biggest name for the Wildcats, scoring nine points and hitting the game-winner.
NEXT UP
The Wildcats continue the Mary Ann Otwell Classic, taking on host Panola College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.
