The McComb Lady Tigers have struggled through growing pains all season.
Head coach Angelia Johnson’s squad — filled mostly with eighth, ninth and tenth-graders — put its growth this season to the test in Tuesday’s opening round of the Region 7-4A tournament.
Facing an 18-point deficit midway through the second quarter with their season on the line, the Lady Tigers matured right before Johnson’s eyes, rallying to defeat the Columbia Lady Wildcats 60-58 to advance to the tournament semifinals.
The win, McComb’s third of the season over Columbia, also secured the Lady Tigers a spot in the South State tournament later this month.
“I just told the girls ‘We’ve done enough losing this season. We’re 7-18. Let’s go win this one,’ ” Johnson said. “We recovered and were able to come back and win this one. It’s a huge win and we’re glad to have it under our belts.”
The Lady Tigers were flat to open the game, while Columbia relied on five first half 3-pointers to pull ahead to a 30-12 lead midway through the second quarter. But despite the deficit, McComb’s effort never wavered.
The Lady Tigers implemented a three-quarter court press late in the first half to spark a run heading into the break. McComb trailed just 31-19 at halftime and began the second half with the same press, picking up right where the first half had left off.
Columbia struggled to advance the ball across halfcourt as McComb surged back into the game. The Lady Tigers relied on a 28-point third quarter to pull ahead 47-39 with eight minutes remaining.
Columbia regained a 51-49 lead early in the quarter, before handing the lead right back to McComb. The Lady Wildcats managed to tie the score two more times throughout the final period, but could never pull themselves ahead on the scoreboard.
Columbia watched a potential game-tying floater rim out as time expired, sending the Lady Tigers on to the next round and the Lady Wildcats home for the offseason.
“We played with good energy, good effort,” Johnson said of her team after the win. “I may have nearly had a heart attack on the sidelines, but, hey, we won.”
McComb’s LaDiamond Crumedy, the team’s lone senior, led the Lady Tigers with 19 points.
North Pike, Region 7-4A tournament semifinals, 7 p.m. Thursday at SMCC
