WOODVILLE — The Amite County Lady Trojans hadn’t won since December, but in the first round of the District 7-3A tournament Amite County was more than ready to grab a win.
The Trojans beat the North Pike Jaguars 45-41 on Tuesday and erased the memory of the past months.
“It feels good,” Amite County head coach Shaune Handy said. “It’s been hard when we’ve been losing with a young team, but we just wanted to let everybody know we’re not finished.
“We’ll be here for Thursday and Friday.”
The Trojans put together a big second quarter to hold a 10-point lead at halftime. Cikia Patterson, Tydeshaia Pool and Jacquillis Monroe went on a 12-1 run to take the lead for good going into the half.
The Jaguars chipped away, getting to within one twice in the fourth, but Patterson made sure to push the lead back to three.
The Trojans owned an eight-point lead with 1:22 left thanks to foul shots and a gambling North Pike defense. Amite County wasn’t able to keep it totally out of reach, though.
After going up by eight the Trojans shot just 2-of-8 from the free throw line, while North Pike’s Brittany Patterson hit a 3-pointer to close the lead down to four and Adrianna Davis put in a layup with 14 seconds left after Shanika Turner ran the length of the court to save a tipped ball.
Monroe hit one of her free throws with 11 seconds left to make it a two-possession game and effectively end the Jaguars’ hopes.
The Trojans limited the Jaguars touches by outrebounding North Pike 39-29. Pool pulled down 13 boards, while Cikia Patterson grabbed 11 rebounds. Only Brittany Patterson had more than five for North Pike, she finished with 14.
“We preach that every day in practice,” Handy said. “Put a body on a body.”
The second half was dominated by Haney yelling “one bucket, one stop” whenever the Trojans seemed to be letting their focus slip.
FRANKLIN COUNTY 67, TYLERTOWN 44
In the other girls game of the day, Franklin County beat Tylertown 67-44 to advance to face Amite County on Thursday.
On Tuesday, four Lady Bulldogs hit double figures to help Franklin County ease to a first round victory.
Paige Webster led the team with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while CeeCee Davis scored 12, and Shareka Hunt hit 11 and Monique Starks put in 10.
Octavia Bearden did most of the work on the scoreboard for Tylertown with 24 points. Phenequia Magee tossed in 11 to help the Lady Chiefs.
WILKINSON COUNTY 73, TYLERTOWN 65
Tylertown cut a double digit lead down to three with 1:33 left, but wasn’t able get any closer against the host Wilkinson County Wildcats.
Four Wildcats finished in double figures. Kenny Harden led Wilkinson County with 24 points, while Migal Covington scored 16, Corey Anthony hit for 14 and Quantarius Lee put in 11.
Tylertown was led by Clayton Conerly with 21 points.
Wilkinson County will face the winner of today’s Franklin County-North Pike game.
