The playoffs are here after a season of ups and downs for each of the four high school girls basketball teams.
Lady Trojans get first district win
It may have taken all season long to materialize, but West Marion (4-18, 1-9) is finally playing the competitive basketball head coach Steven Fortenberry expected when the season began.
After losing its first eight district games, West Marion took Seminary down to the wire in a three-point loss last Friday, then beat Wesson Tuesday by 17 points for its first district win of the season.
The Lady Trojans only led Wesson by three points going into halftime but blitzed the Lady Cobras in the second half, outscoring them 10-2 in the third quarter and 12-6 in the fourth.
“That was really big. We were really close against Seminary and lost that game in the final seconds,” Fortenberry said. “We lost to Wesson earlier in the year in the final seconds. It was really big for them to finally get over the hump with that win.”
The Lady Trojans concluded their regular season Thursday night (results unavailable at press time) but already know their fate for the district tournament. West Marion will take on Seminary at 7 p.m. Tuesday, immediately following the West Marion boys against Columbia. Fortenberry said if the Lady Trojans can keep Akelah Hawthorne, who averages a district-high 19.8 points per game, to 15 points or less, he believes they can pull out a victory.
“We feel good about the matchup. Obviously with it being at their place gives them an advantage,” he said. “They should have some fans there, but we should have some fans there too after our boys play and have those guys rooting for us, too. I think we have a great shot.”
With a win, West Marion would match up with top-seed Tylertown at 4 p.m. Thursday but would also ensure a playoff berth as one of the top four teams in the district.
Columbia aims to clinch playoff berth
The Lady Wildcats (12-10, 6-4) finished the regular season No. 3 in the district standings after splitting their final two games but still have a great shot to reach the playoffs.
Columbia lost to a stacked Tylertown squad that ran the table in district on the road last Friday night 60-39.
Christina James had her second career double-double with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting with 10 rebounds. Jaleel Hartfield added 10 points, two steals and two blocks, and Tyra Conerly had nine points and five rebounds.
After heading into halftime trailing by one, the Lady Wildcats more than got back on track in the second half of their season finale Tuesday night at Seminary. Columbia outscored Seminary 45-15 in the second half and won 67-38.
Hartfield regained her offensive form with a game-high 19 points to go along with five boards, while James added 14 points and Conerly and Kailyn Miller each chipped in 11.
Columbia plays Wesson (3-21, 1-9) Tuesday at 4 p.m. and would clinch a playoff berth with a win. The Lady Wildcats would then play Jefferson Davis County Thursday night at 7.
Lady Cougars dominating district competition
The Lady Cougars (21-9, 5-0) are in great shape as their regular season concludes with playoffs right around the corner.
Columbia Academy beat Wayne Academy 50-27 on the road last Friday night with Lauren Rowley leading the way with 19 points, followed by Morgan Jones with nine and Madison McDaniel and Macey Jones with seven each.
The Lady Cougars needed overtime Saturday night in Hattiesburg but beat Presbyterian Christian 34-27 in a non-district game. Morgan Jones paced the Lady Cougars with 13 points, while Rowley had seven and Victoria Pace and Gabby Sullivan each had six.
Behind a strong defense forcing steals and turnovers consistently, the Lady Cougars beat Bowling Green 45-29 on senior night Tuesday. Morgan Jones and McDaniel each had 14 points to lead CA, and Rowley added 11 points and kept the Lady Cougars offense on track.
The Lady Cougars closed out their regular season Friday night at Laurel Christian but results weren’t available at press time. They will likely be the top seed in the South State AAA Tournament at Adams County Christian with play beginning Tuesday.
East Marion closes season as top seed
The Lady Eagles (14-8, 8-0) closed out their regular season on a five-game winning streak after outscoring their final two opponents 105-39 combined.
East Marion beat Sacred Heart 61-25 on senior night behind a masterful performance from Tytianna Porter, who had 16 points, 15 rebounds — 11 offensive — two assists and two steals. Dontajha Stepney added 10 points, RaQquiya Haynes chipped in eight and Amber Willis had five points, six rebounds and four steals.
The Lady Eagles closed out the regular season with a 46-14 road win over Salem Tuesday night and got many of their regulars some rest with the postseason approaching. Willis led the way with 12 points, while Haynes had 10 and Stepney had nine.
The district tournament, which will be played at East Marion next week, will have its matchups announced Saturday, but the Lady Eagles already know they are the top seed.
Pictured Above: Dontajha Stepney of East Marion gathers after a eurostep against Sacred Heart. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
