By Joseph W. Gex II/Sports Writer

Biloxi —The Our Lady Academy Crescents and St. Patrick Lady Irish split during the regular season on the hardwood but in the finals of Region 8-3A girls basketball tournament the Crescents (21-7) topped the Lady Irish 58-46 to win the program’s first ever league title in program history. 

In fact, it has been a season of first evers for OLA as 2026 is the first ever 20-win season, first ever home playoff game, and first ever consecutive playoff appearances. 

OLA head coach Bill Henley commented, “This has been a very special season for OLA basketball for many reasons. We split with St. Patrick during the regular season and we knew that they had been playing some very good basketball recently, but so have we. We knew we had to do something they were not expecting. We changed how we guarded them and also played three freshman which is uncommon for us. The changes may have confused them but it allowed us to gain a quick advantage in the first period and third period of play tonight. Now, we have to focus on our playoff opponent which will be the loser of the Crystal Springs/Hazelhurst game.

The Crescents jumped out to a 15-5 lead in the first period behind the play of Mariah Galbreth who led the charge with eight points in the period. 

The Lady Irish (16-13) stormed back in the second period behind the stellar play of Alex Patino with 11 points including three buckets from beyond the arc. The Lady Irish outscored OLA in the second period 16-13 to cut the Crescent lead to 28-21 at intermission.

The Crescents rolled in the third period outscoring the Lady Irish 19-10 behind Valentina Mossy’s seven points. 

The Lady Irish responded in the fourth period as they rallied to outscored OLA 15-11 behind five points from both Patino and Anna Gollott; however, it was not enough to stop OLA from grabbing the trophy. 

St. Patrick head coach Josiah Lee stated, “OLA did a tremendous job on the glass gaining second and third shot opportunities. Their defensive pressure also caused us some concern. They played very hard. We responded well but it was not enough to overcome them. Hats off to the Crescents. They came and got the win. We will face the winner of the Crystal Springs/Hazelhurst game which could bring me full circle as my first job was as an assistant at Crystal Springs. I will be up all night trying to find a way past these two possible opponents.”

The Lady Irish had Anna Gollott, Addie Ladner, Alex Patino, Elizabeth Mustered, and Katherine Wall named to the All-Division 8-3A team while Patino was named Most Valuable Player. 

The Crescents had Nicole Bradford, Krissi Pavolini, Leah Laporte, Mariah Galbreth, and Taylor Henley named to the All-Division 8-3A team with Henley named Offensive Player of the Year. 

OLA and St. Patrick will both host first round playoff games on Monday.