2022 MHSAA Boys and Girls Playoff Sleepers
The following is a list of teams who can be considered sleepers in the 2022 MHSAA playoffs.
*Qualifications to be a sleeper: 1) Cannot be a #1 seed, 2) Cannot be the defending champion, 3) Cannot be in my projected final four
GIRLS
1A- West Union (18-9, Div. 2, #2) – West Union had one point losses to Ingomar and Blue Mountain earlier this season. Coach Hayles and the Lady Eagles are led by players like Emma Callicutt and Zoey Wright.
2A- Pine Grove (16-11, Div. 1, #3) – Coach Katie Bates has her team peaking. They have won 6 of 7, led by Ellie Fryar and Lana Rowland.
3A- Nettleton (20-6, Div. 4, #2) – Coach Kuhl and his squad lost by 2 against Booneville this year. They could make noise in the playoffs with NEMCC signee Madison Miller.
4A- Quitman (22-8, Div. 5, #2) – Quitman played a tough schedule and finished the season winning 9 of 11 games.
5A- Ridgeland (14-12, Div. 3, #2) – Ridgeland is battle tested as many of their losses came against top teams in the state.
6A- Hancock (11-7, Div. 8, #3) – Hancock has big wins over Harrison Central and Biloxi.
BOYS
1A- Leake County (23-3, Div. 6, #2) – Senior Jacobe Hopkins and Leake County have had a great season. They didn’t win their division and that put them on the same side of the bracket as Bay Springs.
2A- Baldwyn (16-2, Div. 1, #2) – Some were talking about Baldwyn as title contenders before they lost to Pine Grove in the division final. I still think they are good enough to make a run.
3A- Morton (20-5, Div. 5, #2) – Morton has won 12 of their last 13 and could take a couple of games in the playoffs.
4A- South Pontotoc (21-8, Div. 2, #4) – Joe Haze Austin and Pacey Matthews lead Coach Vandiver’s Cougars. They might be the best #4 seed in the state. They have a really tough chore at Shannon in round 1.
5A- Wayne County (Div. 6, #2) – The War Eagles will have to put together some magic to make some noise in the tournament.
6A- Petal (21-3, Div. 5, #2) – Petal would not be considered a sleeper by most standards, but they met my qualifications. They have some good players and could definitely run to the final four.
