UNDEFEATED! BHS Lady Tigers win state Class 4A Championship
By Joseph W. Gex, II
Mar 8, 2013, 23:26
The Bay High Lady Tigers on Friday proudly display their trophy after winning the Mississippi High School Athletic Association’s Class 4A Girls Basketball Championship.
The Bay High Lady Tigers stood tall at the “Big House” in Jackson on Friday night after whipping the Pontotoc Lady Warriors 65-42 for the Class 4A girls state basketball championship.
The Lady Tigers kept their record unblemished at 36-0 with the win.
“That in itself is a story,” Bay High head coach Debbie Triplett said. “I am not sure if the normal fan actually realizes how difficult it is to go an entire season without losing.
"For 36 rounds, we took teams best punches and we are still standing. Anyway you cut it, that is a pretty awesome feat."
The victory also had some drama surrounding it as the Lady Tigers exacted some revenge on Pontotoc for giving them an early exit from the state tournament last year.
The first quarter was a tight one for both teams on Friday night. Bay High took a slight 19-18 lead at the end of the opening period.
The second period was the turning point for both teams.
Bay High switched from a zone to a man-to-man defense. It was a shock to Pontotoc and welcoming feel for the Lady Tigers.
Bay High limited Pontotoc to just five points in the second period and the turning point in the game was evident.
"We played much better defense than they thought we could play,” Triplett said. “The turning point was the second quarter when we limited them to just five points. We put an exclamation point on the season with our effort tonight."
Bay High took a 32-23 lead into intermission.
In the third period, Bay pushed its lead to 50-33 highlighted by Terrica Williams' eight points.
Early in the final period, Pontotoc made a push behind Marlee Hatcher and Kayla Russell behind the arc. However, Bay High ended the game with a 11-1 run.
Williams was named the C-Spire Player of the Game. She stated, "We all played well tonight. I am fortunate that I played with a great group of girls. The core that returns next year will have some adjustments to make but they are capable of making it back."
Williams led the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds followed by Christa Reed with 17 points and 10 boards. Breta Hart rounded out the trio with 15 points.
The Lady Tigers brought home their third gold ball in their fifth state final under the mentoring of Debbie Triplett.
"They play pretty good together," Triplett said.
