By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PERKINSTON — The bid by the St.Martin girls basketball squad to reach back-to-back appearances in the first two Class 7A Final Four came up just short.

The Lady Yellow Jackets fell to Northwest Rankin 68-46 Friday afternoon in the Class 7A South State Quarterfinal round here at Dantzler Arena on the campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

The season for SMHS ends at 24-6, while the Lady Cougars move to 26-5 overall and move into the Class 7A overall semifinals Monday morning at The Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

“We got into some early foul trouble and that took us out of our rhythm and we didn’t do a very good job on the boards,” SMHS head coach Jason Kennedy said. “But man oh man I’m so proud of this young group for giving me everything they have night in and night out. I love this team, we will be back. We have a bright future.”

St. Martin reached the “Big House” last season before falling in the semifinal round.

St. Martin stayed within striking distance throughout most of the first 30 minutes of the game Friday, trailing by eight at 33-25 at halftime thanks in part to a 3-for-11 from the free throw line in the first half by Northwest Rankin plus nine points from Lady Yellow Jacket guard Kylenn Ward.

Ward was back at it as the third quarter unfolded, dropping in 10 more points as St. Martin cut the deficit slightly mid-way through the frame to seven points at 40-33.

However, a key 3-pointer from the hand of Lady Cougar Jordyn Crumedy stemmed the tide, and from then on NWR exploded for 38 points over the final 10 minutes plus of play to take command.

Lady Cougar Malia McCelleis did her part as she tallied 12 points down the stretch, including a triple, and poured in a game-high 25 points in the win. Crumedy chipped in 18 points.

Ward paced SMHS with 20 points.