Prep Basketball: Lady Hawks slip past visiting Hattiesburg to open Class 6A South State playoffs
Hancock’s Lexi Ladner surveys the scene vs. Hattiesburg Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)
By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director KILN — For the third straight season, the Hancock girls are headed to the Class 6A South State playoffs Quarterfinal round. Home-standing Hancock held off Hattiesburg 55-49 Friday night in the opening round of the Class 6A South State playoffs in an exciting showdown. The Lady Hawks, the number one seed from Region 4-6A, move to 21-9 overall on the season with the decision while the Lady Tigers, the fourth seed from Region 3-6A, finish the season at 13-15.
Hancock’s Paityn Langley changes direction with her dribble vs. Hattiesburg Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Madalyn Hoda makes a move with the ball as Hattiesburg’s Sakra Portis defends Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Lexi Ladner and Hattiesburg’s Cristinda Ulmer scramble for a loose ball Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Paityn Langley puts up a jump shot in the lane vs. Hattiesburg Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)
The heavy underdog Hub City squad battled the home team on even terms throughout the first three quarters, as Hancock got a trio of 3-pointers from Madalyn Hoda in the first half to take a 26-20 lead into halftime as well as 12 points from Paityn Langley through the first three quarters to head into the final frame up 34-33. However, Hancock would get another trey from Hoda as well as one from Caitlyn Ladner down the stretch and out-score Hattiesburg 11-6 to secure the win. Langley, who also had four more points in the fourth period, tallied a game-high 16 points to pace Hancock, while Hoda chipped in those 12 long range points to the winning cause as well.
Hancock’s Lexi Dreher works her way into the lane for a shot vs. Hattiesburg Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Jaleigh Garriga looks for some working room as Hattiesburg’s Gnya Booth defends Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffiHancock’s Madalyn Hoda plans her next move vs. Hattiesburg Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Jaleigh Garriga looks for a passing partner amidst a host of Hattiesburg defenders Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)
Sakara Portis had 14 points for Hattiesburg. The Lady Hawks now head just up the road to Poplarville Wednesday to face Jackson Forrest Hill in the Class 6A South State Quarterfinal event on the campus of Pearl River Community College. The Lady Patriots demolished visiting Pascagoula 71-36 Friday night to end the season for the Lady Panthers.
Hancock’s Madalyn Hoda defends as Akira McWilliams of Hattiesburg looks for a friendly target Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Paityn Lanley looks for some working room between Hattiesburg’s Cristinda Ulmer (3) and Gnya Booth Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Lexi Ladner heads up for a shot in the lane between Hattiesburg defenders Cristinda Ulmer (3) and Sakara Portis Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Lexi Ladner loses control of the ball between Hattiesburg defenders Cristinda Ulmer (3) and Sakara Portis Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)Hancock’s Caitlyn Ladner stretches out for a loose ball vs. Hattiesburg Friday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)
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