Ellington

state champion Lanier, top-ranked in The Clarion Ledger poll and rated
17th nationally by USA Today, advanced to 31-3. The Bulldogs aim for
their 14th state title and Lanier coach Thomas Billups' sixth gold ball
against fifth-ranked Provine, 25-5. The Rams will be making their
fourth appearance in the state championship game, and first since 1999 when
they were defeated by Lanier 65-60.

Mississippi Educational Television will broadcast ALL ten final games
of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Boys and
Girls Basketball Championship live on the state network.

"After a year of collaboration and coordination, we are extremely
pleased to be able to bring this massive production to life," Marie Antoon,
MEB executive director said. "We believe this is yet another way we
can use our networks to serve our mission to entertain, educate, inform
and inspire the citizens of Mississippi. Now those who can't make it to
the tournament in person won't miss any of the action because they can
tune in to see the incredible talent from across the state."

The airing of the tournament is made possible through funding provided
by The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi.

"We appreciate the support from the Partnership for a Healthy
Mississippi as they continue to promote healthy activities for our youth. They
are also making it possible for MEB to televise the state football
championship games this fall," said Antoon.

Radio personality Russ Robinson will provide play-by-play coverage of
the tournament while Kim Salter, Greg Flynn and Bryan Eubanks team up to
provide color commentary.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MARCH 6
Class 4A
Girls 6:30 PM
Boys 8:00 PM

FRIDAY, MARCH 7
Class 1A
Girls 1:00 PM
Boys 2:30 PM

Class 5A
Girls 6:30 PM
Boys 8:00 PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 8
Class 2A
Girls 1:00 PM
Boys 2:30 PM

Class 3A
Girls 6:30 PM
Boys 8:00 PM

About Mississippi Educational Broadcasting
An agency of the State of Mississippi, Mississippi Educational
Broadcasting encompasses a network of commercial-free television, radio,
learning and community outreach services designed to empower and enrich the
lives of Mississippians through the creative use of technologies to
deliver programs and services that educate, entertain, inspire and inform.
In addition to educational programming and Mississippi-specific
productions, MEB provides access to National Public Broadcasting and National
Public Radio programming. Visit http://www.etv.state.ms.us