‘Words can’t describe it.’ Moss Point is one win away from its first state title.

The Moss Point Lady Tigers keep making history.

Behind the play of Louisiana Tech signee Robyn Lee, the Lady Tigers held off Pontotoc 42-39 in the semifinal round of the MHSAA Girls Class 4A playoffs at the Mississippi Coliseum on Monday night.

Moss Point (25-7) will face Ripley for the Class 4A State Championship at 5 p.m. on Thursday evening at The Pavilion at Ole Miss.

This will be the first time the Lady Tigers have played for a state championship in school history.

“We knew it was going to be tough and knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” Moss Point coach Ethan Porter said. “Their biggest advantage was the inside game and we are playing a lot of young players that haven’t been in this position. We finally gathered ourselves at the end and was able to pull out the win.”

Moss Point never trailed in the game.

Pontotoc went on a 13-3 run to cut the lead to 40-39 with on a lay-up with Samya Brooks 22 seconds left.

Lee then made both free throws with 8.9 seconds left to extend the lead to 42-39.

“Robyn had multiple times to score and the shot wouldn’t fall, but she made those two big free throws at the end to push the lead out a little,” Porter said. “I think we were just tough enough to make big plays down the stretch.”

Lee finished with a game-high 25 points with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

“I just felt like we couldn’t blow it and after last year. I’m glad we got past this round,” Lee said. “It was one of our goals was to get to the state championship. This is my senior year and my last game, so I’ve got to give it all I got.”

Michaela Payton added nine points for Moss Point.

The Lady Tigers now get the team that ended their season last year, 45-39, in the playoffs in Jackson.

“Michaela has played basketball for about 14 months now and she made a big basket there at the end and has been huge for us all year,” Porter said. “We get another shot at Ripley and words can’t describe it. We get to play another game.”

Moss Point held Pontotoc’s DeeDee Shephard, a Charleston Southern signee, to just nine points.

Wednesday’s semifinals schedule in Jackson

▪ 9 a.m. — 3A girls — Ruleville vs. Tylertown

▪ 10:30 a.m. — 3A girls — Senatobia vs. Crystal Springs

▪ 12 p.m. — 3A boys — Holly Springs vs. St. Andrew’s

▪ 1:30 p.m. — 3A boys — Houston vs. Velma Jackson

▪ 4 p.m. — 6A girls — Olive Branch vs. Harrison Central

▪ 5:30 p.m. — 6A girls — Clinton vs. Meridian

▪ 7 p.m. — 6A boys — Starkville vs. Harrison Central

▪ 8:30 p.m. — 6A boys — Murrah vs. Biloxi

This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 8:04 PM.