Prep Basketball: Lady Panthers are headed to the Class 6A South State playoffs

Pascagoula’s Rylee Hilliard battles with Teagan McCann (left) and Harper Taylor of Long Beach for a rebound Monday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
PASCAGOULA — The Pascagoula Lady Panthers are headed back to the Class 6A South State playoffs.
The Lady Panthers split their first two games in the Region 4-6A Tournament this week, but the big 49-24 win Monday night over Long Beach Monday night in the opening game of this four day 12 game annual affair secured the host team a spot in the playoffs.

Pascagoula’s Iyonna Atkins looks for some working room vs. Long Beach Monday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Ja’Katelyn Johnson pursues Caitlyn Graham of Long Beach down the court Monday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Rylee Hilliard scrambles with Caitlyn Graham of Long Beach for the ball Monday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Iyonna Atkins makes a move with the ball as Austyn McNease of Long Beach chases her Monday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Iyonna Atkins tallied 15 points to pace Pascagoula to the win, while Ja’Katelyn Johnson chipped in 10 points to the winning cause and Ariel Watson added eight points for the Lady Panthers.
Austyn McNease led Long Beach with 10 points, as the Lady Bearcats finished the season at 1-24. Their only win of the season came in the third outing of the season, in a 50-21 win over Stone. Long Beach ended the season on a 22 game losing streak.

Pascagoula’s Ariel Watson surveys the situation as Zaria Taylor of Long Beach defends Monday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Rylee Hilliard stretches skyward for a rebound as Ariyonna Daniels of Long Beach defends Monday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula’s Iyonna Atkins defends as Harper Ladner of Long Beach looks for a passing partner Monday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Pascagoula, meanwhile, will open the upcoming Class 6A South State playoffs next week on the road after a hard-fought 41-33 loss on to Picayune in the tourney semifinals on Tuesday night.
Watson had 15 for the Lady Panthers in that game, and Johnson added eight points.
The Lady Panthers are now 7-19 overall, and will meet Pearl River Central Thursday night at 6 p.m., in the consolation contest.