SMITHVILLE – No matter what happens the rest of the way, the Smithville Seminoles have already had one of Class 1A's best seasons.

Of course the Noles don't want the season to end anytime soon, but with 16 wins already on the schedule coming into the week, this team has already made a name for itself.

“We always tell them to take one game at a time. You can't slip up,” said Smithville coach Greg Haynes, his first year on Smithville's bench after a long tenure and short break from Vardaman. “When we were playing back in the summer in June, I didn't even know their names, but I felt like we had the opportunity to have a really good year.”

He knows their names now and it's names like Kyle Stevens leading the way from the point, Antwune, Datrune and Munchie Freeman scoring when the team needs it most and big man Zack Stephenson improving game by game in the post.

There are more like Westbrook and Whitfield, but Haynes said from the beginning that it takes more than individuals to win. And this team has glued together nicely with their new coach.

In win 16, Smithville took a double figure lead to the halftime locker room and didn't look back in a 65-37 win, it's third against Tremont this season.

The two will meet again in the first round on the division tournament on Feb. 8 in Vardaman.

Datrune Freeman led the Seminoles (16-3, 3-2) in the final 4-1A game of the season with 16 points. Kyle Stevens and Munchie Freeman scored 11 points apiece.

Tony Morse had 13 for Tremont, Jake Norris 11.

“The last three ballgames, we've played excellent defense,” Haynes said. “That was the key tonight.”

Two of Smithville's losses, it would like to have back, a one-point buzzer loss to Amory and a two-point loss in the final seconds at East Union after blowing a double-digit third period lead. After that game, Haynes said maybe his team would learn from it.

It appears the Seminoles have, not letting Tremont back in the game on Tuesday. The first win against the Eagles was a slim one-point win. The last two times out have been comfortable.

“I told them back in the summer that they could have a special season,” Haynes said. “It was just up to them.”

Haynes made no bones about an old saying though.

“They say it's always hard to beat somebody three times, much less four,” Haynes said. “They know about everything we do. We'll just have to see.”

(G) Tremont 48 Smithville 45

Krisha Peden scored 12 points and Hayden Lindlen scored 11 as Tremont used a 15-8 third period to win on the road.

Kayla Casey scored 11 points to lead the Lady Seminoles.