Calysia Phillips, a four-year starter at guard for Coahoma County High School basketball, helped lead her team to two Class 2A state runner-up finishes during her career.
Phillips finished her with 13 points, 5 assists and 4 steals per game and won the C Spire Scholar Athlete Award for the Lady Red Panthers at the state championship game at Ole Miss. She will now have an opportunity to take her talents to the next level after committing to play for Northeast Mississippi Community College next season.
“I felt like that’s the best fit,” Phillips said. “That was the first offer to me and I felt like it was close to home.”
She still has her sights on winning a championship and said she will “give my team all that I’ve got.” She plans to major in physical therapy and continue her basketball career at a four-year school after Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Looking back on her high career, Phillips said her best game came in the 2020 state championship, even though the Lady Red Panthers lost to Calhoun City.
Phillips led CCHS in scoring with 22 points in the championship.
“Even though we lost, I did my best,” Phillips said.
Phillips said knowing she played her best made it easier to handle the loss. She also said being a Lady Red Panther helped prepare her for junior college basketball.
“It was a great experience,” Phillips said. “It was rough at times, but it was worth it.”
While all public schools have gone to distance learning for the remainder of the semester, Phillips is shooting baskets at the hoop at her house.
“I still go outside and play basketball,” she said. “I still workout. I do some basketball drills and some exercise drills.”
Phillips said she also runs in an effort to continue getting stronger.
Phillips and Lady Red Panthers teammate Nakia Cheatham both played integral roles the past four years.
Cheatham will be playing for Coahoma Community College next season.
Phillips looks forward to going against her high school teammate in JUCO basketball games.
“It will be great,” Phillips said. “The dynamic duo is on the court, but we’re playing against each other.”
