SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

March 4, 2026

Prep Basketball: OLA’s dream season comes to an end with a 57-54 loss to Belmont Wednesday

OLA’s Valentina Mossy looks for some working room as Belmont’s Karsyn Sullivan defends Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
JACKSON — The best basketball season in Our Lady Academy history ended in heart-breaking fashion Wednesday night in the Class 3A Final Four.
The Crescents overcame a 13-point first quarter deficit and rallied to within two points twice in the final minute, before falling 57-54 to perennial state power Belmont here at The Mississippi Coliseum.
The win propels the Lady Cards into their 22nd state championship game Saturday afternoon where they will meet nearby rival Booneville for all the marbles. Belmont moves to 24-6 overall with the decision, while OLA ends the season at 24-8.

OLA’s Krissi Pavolini has her shot altered by Belmont’s Brooke Smith Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

OLA’s Mariah Broughton sets her sights on the basket as Belmont’s Aubree Scott defends Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

OLA’s Taylor Henley gets tangled up in the lane by Belmont’s Presley Ross Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

“It ended up being a good game,” OLA head coach Bill Henley, whose team has only one senior, said. “I thought we came out with a little bit of nerves, but once we settled down, we were toe-to-toe with them. We’ll worry about coming back next year. We really wanted to fight hard for Loralai (Williford), her senior year. We didn’t want to worry about the future. We wanted to win tonight.”

The Lady Cards jumped out to a fast 15-2 start in the first quarter, but thanks to eight points off the bench, including a pair of 3-pointers, from Leah Laporte and seven points by Taylor Henley, the Crescents cut the deficit to 28-21 at halftime.
Laporte’s third trey of the game and several more baskets by Henley helped OLA slice the Belmont lead ever so slightly to 47-41 after the third frame.

OLA’s Mariah Broughton looks for some working room vs. Belmont Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

OLA’s Mariah Broughton wrestles with Belmont’s McKinley Bennett for the ball Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

OLA’s Taylor Henley works to maintain possession of the ball vs. Belmont Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Henley’s deadly inside-outside play, including another 3-pointer and a pair of putbacks, cut the deficit to 54-52 with less than a minute to play.
But, despite Belmont making just one-of-six free throws in one span, a couple of key turnovers hurt OLA’s chances and the Lady Cards converted three of heir final four free shots to seal the deal.
Henley, the versatile sophomore, multi-sport standout, led OLA with game-high totals of 25 points and 13 rebounds. Laporte finished up with 15 points, despite suffering an injury late in the game and missing some time.

OLA’s Taylor Henley battles for the ball with Belmont’s Aubree Scott Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

OLA’s Nichole Bradford makes a move with the ball as Belmont’s Brooke Smith defends Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

OLA’s Taylor Henley brings the ball up past mid-court vs. Belmont Wednesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

“Laporte did a great job,” Henley added. “Leah’s always a big shot-maker for us. It’s just unfortunate she rolled her ankle there at the end.

“It’s what we’re used to from Taylor. People usually focus on her a good bit, but we’ve got other good players.”
Brooke Smith scored 19 points to lead Belmont, while Mckinley Bennett added 12 and Karsyn Sullivan 11. Presley Ross finished with nine points and a team-high four assists.

The Lady Cards are playing for their 14th overall state crown over the weekend.