Two Coast girls teams advance to play in the state quarters at the Coast Coliseum

Entering the quarterfinals of the MHSAA girls state basketball tournament, there are only two teams from the Coast still standing — Harrison Central in Class 6A and Moss Point in Class 4A.

Moss Point put forward one of the most dominating performances from Friday night’s second-round action, trouncing Sumrall 56-27 in Moss Point.

Senior point guard Robyn Lee, a Louisiana Tech signee, again led the way for the Lady Tigers with 26 points and five steals.

Sumrall actually led the game 14-7 after one quarter, but that’s when the Lady Tigers’ defense kicked in.

“We really locked in defensively from the end of the first to the fourth quarter,” Moss Point coach Ethan Porter said. “We gave up 14 points in the first quarter and only 13 the rest of the way. Defensively, we really got the job done.”

Another key for Moss Point was their success at the free throw line, hitting 21 of 22 tries.

Sophomore forward Michaela Payton had a big night in the front court, putting up 15 points and nine rebounds.

The win gives Moss Point (23-7) a second consecutive trip to the quarterfinals, where the Lady Tigers lost 45-39 to Ripley a year ago.

At 7 p.m. on Friday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Moss Point will take on McComb (25-6) — the same team the Lady Tigers eliminated in the second round last season.

“We actually have pretty much had the same record last season, but last year’s team was definitely more talented,” Porter said. “But I think after almost two years now, we know how we’re trying to play and execute. We probably have an overall tougher team. We lost some big pieces from last year, but we’re definitely playing well. We’ll be a tough out for anybody.”

The chance to play in the Coast Coliseum is something the Lady Tigers have been aiming for all season.

“It’s something we’ve never had the opportunity to do before,” Porter said. “HoopsFest hasn’t had girls teams in the last several years. It’s the Biloxi coliseum, not in Jackson. We should have a lot more fans. It’s another stepping stone to where we’re trying to get to play on that big of a stage.”

Sumrall’s season comes to a close with a record of 14-11.

Harrison Central 39, Oak Grove 33

The Lady Rebels (26-5) also advanced to play in the state quarterfinals, setting up a 5:30 p.m. game against Pearl on Feb. 29 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.

Pearl (28-1) advanced to the quarterfinals after ending D’Iberville’s season, 81-49, in the second round on Friday. D’Iberville’s season finishes with a record of 21-10.

Pearl eliminated Harrison Central 73-62 in the second round of the playoffs last season.

“It will be kind of a revenge game for us,” Harrison Central coach Nancy Ladner said.

Laila Walker had a big game in the frontcourt for the Red Rebelettes, grabbing 15 rebounds and putting up nine points.

“We just had a sluggish start,” Ladner said. “It wasn’t one of our better games. In the end, we pulled it out. An ugly win better than a pretty loss.”

Khyla Ragins was Harrison Central’s leading scorer with 14 points.

Brandon 51, St. Martin 48

The Lady Yellow Jackets battled through a 12-turnover first half and a sluggish second quarter on offense, but they could not overcome a composed Brandon team that handled the ball well and nailed clutch free throws down the stretch.

The Lady Yellow Jackets trailed by eight points at halftime (24-16), and the deficit grew to as much as 14 points (30-16). Valencia McFall got them going with three 3-pointers in the three period, as the Lady Yellow Jackets closed out the period on a 12-4 run to trail by only two at the end of three quarters.

Brandon scored on a layup and a 5-foot jump shot to extend their lead to six points with just over two minutes played in the final quarter, and that was enough cushion to go to their stall offense. The Lady Bulldogs connected on ten of 14 free throws in the fourth period to close out the win.

“Poise, poise,” Brandon coach Candace Foster said. “We’ve been in this situation before, probably more times than we’ve wanted to be. But we said this before, the game that we’re going to have to play all four quarters, through the ups and downs and make sure we maintain energy throughout.

“We played all four quarters tonight, and I’m proud of their resilience. They stepped up when it mattered the most, and I’m pleased with the outcome.

“It’s the playoffs,” added Foster about the second half effort of St. Martin. “Every team is going to give you their best shot. We know that coming in. Every team is going to be good. It’s moments like this where you’re tested, you’re battle tested.”

Outscoring the Lady Bulldogs in the second half (32-27) was no consolation for St. Martin coach Gina Bell, who felt this game was one that they should have won.

“That third quarter is what we typically look like,” Bell said. “The first half of the game the girls were just extremely nervous and really didn’t know what to expect with Brandon. They came out and I think they thought that maybe we were in over our head.

“We went in at halftime and talked to them and told them that we were as good as they are as far as talent, and they came out and played our game in the third quarter.”

McFall led St. Martin with 16 points and Antonia Bryant scored 13.

Brandon was led by Gabrielle Collier’s 16 points, and Janai Mason scored 14 points.

Brandon (22-7) will play Meridian in the quarterfinals at the Coast Coliseum at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 29.

This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 9:41 PM.