By Myra Bean

The MHSAA State Championship contenders have been named with north and south half champions  decided last Friday night.

This Friday’s state championship games will be televised with BankPlus sponsoring with the games may be seen in this area on televisions with antennae on Channel 18.

Tickets are $12 at the gate. South Panola will sell tickets Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $10 at the district office on Boothe Street and at the high school.

To accommodate working fans, tickets will be sold at the high school from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday. No tickets will be sold Friday morning. Fifty percent of SP’s advanced ticket sales will go to the school.

Ridgeland hotels/motels are offering a rebate in form of a  donation to South Panola Athletic Foundation for rooms rented by Tiger fans.

Gates in Jackson will open at 6 p.m. one hour before game time. School will dismiss early Friday on a Tuesday schedule to accommodate those traveling to the game. South Panola will be the home team on the pressbox side of the stadium.

“Video cameras are not allowed at MHSAA championship events without the express written consent of the MHSAA,” said a press release from the MHSAA.  “The MHSAA solely owns media rights to these events. The unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or re-broadcast of this copyrighted event is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI, and is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.  Still photography is allowed for media use only.  Resale of photos is not allowed.”

Fans are also cautioned, “they will not be allowed to bring video equipment, air horns, umbrellas, alcohol or tobacco into the stadium.”

The games will start Friday at 2:30 p.m. with the 1A championship between north champion Calhoun City and south champion Puckett.

The 5A championship game between north champion South Panola and south champion Meridian will be played Friday night at 7 p.m.

Play on Saturday begins at 11 a.m. Between 2A north champion Baldwyn and south champion Forest.

At 3 p.m. is the 3A championship between defending state champion from the north Louisville and south champion Tylertown.

The championships will end Saturday night with the 7 p.m. game between 4A competitors north champion Noxubee County and south champion D’Iberville.