When Poly’s starting five play the way they played in Thursday’s second-round state playoff game against Stockdale, there can be no question they’re the best team in the nation.  Brittany Wilson, Sheila Boykin, Ariya Crook-Williams, Destiny King, and Tajanae Winston started 11-11 from the field, and scored 49 points on 76% shooting from the field.  This is a team, keep in mind, with USC-signee Thaddesia Southall and UNLV-signee Ta’Nitra Byrd coming off the bench.  Poly’s starters powered them to a 22-2 lead, as the Rabbits went on to win easily, 81-50.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect the score to be like that,” said Poly coach Carl Buggs.  “I mean, they really are a good team.  “We have not had a whole lot of games where we were clicking like that.  Hopefully it means we’re peaking at the right time.”

As usual, the Rabbits got pretty deep into their bench, and the second and third units didn’t score, or defend particularly well, and certainly below their usual ability.  But when the starting five were producing the way they were, you can understand a little complacency. 

Wilson scored 18 and shot the lights out, hitting three three’s in the first quarter, and going 4-4 on the night (with Crook-Williams’ jumper, the starters were 5-5 from beyond the arc).  Boykin had 15 points, 8 boards, 4 blocks, and a steal, and shot exceptionally from mid-range, making her nearly impossible to guard for most high school teams.  After a 30-point first quarter, Poly led 52-25 at halftime, 75-36 after three, and won by 31 with the running clock.  The Jackrabbits have now won 21 straight state playoff games going back to their first state title year, and continue to impress on the road to their fifth straight state game.

Boykin said the hot start came from a locker room meeting.  “Last game we came out and didn’t start great,” she said.  “So before the game tonight we huddled up and said, ‘Let’s come out hard, and just keep going.'”  If the Rabbits keep going like this…look out.  They’ll host Summit this Saturday, at 7pm, after Summit upset Corona Santiago on Thursday night.