The Lady Panthers played their toughest battle since district action started Monday night and still walked away champs in round three of the playoffs.
The team defeated DeSoto for the second year in a row, 54-41,to advance to the Regional Finals.
The duo of senior Tamiah Harrison and freshman Mackenzie Jackson led the attack, scoring 19 and 16 points respectively. The pair really stepped up in last few minutes to cap the victory over the scrappy Eagles that remained close throughout the second, third and fourth quarters. With under four minutes remaining Desoto pulled within two points.
“We had a timeout and we said we need to fix our mindset, Win or Go Home,” Jackson said.
Harrison sparked the momentum change forcing a jump ball. Then Jackson reentered the game with a quick assist to Harrison for two points and she drew the foul. The Lady Panthers lead grew to eight points, and then the duo capped the victory with back-to-back buckets.
The Lady Panthers jumped out to a quick lead and dominated the first quarter of the game 17-8. But Desoto fought back, jumping out to a 6-0 run in second quarter and their duo of Chloe Stigler and Dany Diaz kept the Lady Panthers pushing the rest of the game.
“We were nervous. Coach told us to be prepared because it is going to be like this even more as we move on,” Jackson said.
The team will face the winner of the Lancaster/Langham Creek later this week.
