SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

November 5, 2026

Prep Basketball: Lady Hawks hold off Hattiesburg in season-opener

Hancock’s Paityn Langley makes a move down the baseline vs. Hattiesburg Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director

HATTIESBURG — The Hancock girls basketball team has won over 100 games combined in the last four seasons.

The Lady Hawks wasted no time in notching yet another win in the new campaign.

Hancock’s Lexi Ladner takes her dribble towards the basket vs. Hattiesburg Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Jaleigh Garriga battles with Hattiesburg’s Kenya Ford for a rebound Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Adyson Moran makes a pass past Sakara Portis of Hattiesburg Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock headed to Hattiesburg and slipped past the host Lady Tigers 31-23 Tuesday night in the season-opener for both teams. The Lady Hawks are now an impressive 9-1 in season-openers under the guidance of veteran head coach Jamie Sisco.

Sisco’s kids used a stout defensive effort to take down Hattiesburg. Madalyn Hoda nailed a pair of 3-pointers in the first half and Lexi Ladner added a trey as well as the Lady Hawks took a slight 13-10 lead at halftime.

Paityn Langley added a 3-pointer in the third frame, and Hancock slightly stretched its lead out to 18-13 as the second half unfolded.

Hancock’s Jaleigh Garriga looks for some working room in the lane as Hattiesburg’s Atrinidy McInnis defends Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Lexi Ladner gets set to grab a pass vs. Hattiesburg Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Hancock’s Paityn Langley makes a move into the lane as Hattiesburg’s Atrindy McInnis (13) and Arihanna Faulkner react Tuesday night. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Finally, down the stretch, Jaleigh Garriga chipped in six points in the final period and Adyson Moran claimed a trey to result in the final count. Hancock also made six-of-six free throws to seal the deal as well.

Hoda paced the Lady Hawks with 10 points and Garriga added eight points to the winning effort.

Sakara Ports led the Lady Tigers with 10 points in a losing effort.

Hancock hits the road once again this week but this time for the beach Friday for two games in the Gulf Shores High School Tip-off Tournament on Friday and Saturday.