MHSAA Class 5A All-Sports Awards: Neshoba Central reigns supreme

JACKSON — With the 2021-2022 athletic year in the rearview mirror, it's time to take a look at the athletic programs from across the state which enjoyed the most success.

The All-Sports Awards are based on a formula that awards a certain point total for each measure of success in an individual sport. For team sports with a post-season, for example, a program will get points for putting a team into the playoffs, and then additional points for each round that team reaches.

For ranked sports, such as powerlifting or cross country, the team that wins the state championship receives the most points, the runner-up the second-most, and so on.

So without further ado, here's a look at the All-Sports Awards for the 2021-2022 athletic season for the MHSAA's Class 5A.

Class 5A

1. Neshoba Central - 247.5

Championships: Girls Basketball, Softball

The youth program sponsored by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians continues to pay dividends in girls' sports. In addition to their two state championships, the Rockets finished runner-up in baseball and girls and boys bowling. They also reached the semifinals in football and finished third in boys cross country.

2. Long Beach - 227.5

Championships: Boys Soccer, Girls Bowling, Girls Golf

The Bearcats were more than competitive, and that true pretty much across the board. They reached the playoffs in volleyball, girls soccer, tennis and baseball and finished third in boys bowling.

3. Brookhaven - 210

Championships: Boys Cross Country, Girls Track, Boys Track

Boy, they’ve got some runners in Brookhaven, don’t they? In addition to their three championships, the Panthers finished runner up in girls cross-country, third in boys powerlifting and reached the state semifinal in girls basketball.

Best of the rest: Saltillo (187.5), Cleveland Central (145), Gautier (142.5), New Hope (137.5).