POPLARVILLE – One of the most storied senior groups in the history of Hattiesburg girls basketball ended their careers in disappointment, short of another trip to Jackson.
The Lady Tigers went down under a hail of 3-point shots and an offensive onslaught by Brookhaven Saturday afternoon 67-44 in the Class 5A Quarterfinals at M.R. White Coliseum on the Pearl River Community College campus.
Hattiesburg saw its 11-game winning streak ended, finishing its season 22-8. The Lady Panthers (27-3) advanced to the 5A Final Four at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, where they will play Vicksburg on Tuesday.
‘It was like the scouting report said, they’re a high-powered offensive team,” said Hattiesburg coach Caronica Jackson.
“Everyone on their floor is offensive-minded, and that makes a big difference when you’re two bigs and three guards. We had to get our bigs used to getting out and covering their guards. But they shot the ball well tonight. They were on fire.”
Brookhaven was especially on fire in the second quarter, when the Lady Panthers took over the game, hitting 4 of 6 shots from downtown in a 21-2 surge that basically decided the game.
The two teams played through five ties and four lead changes through the first quarter and the first two minutes of the second quarter. But the last lead change was the harbinger of things to come.
With Hattiesburg leading 18-15, the Lady Panthers tied it up with a 3-point play, then Brookhaven senior Sharquita Cook literally shot from the hip, a weird-looking shot that was as effective as it was unconventional.
Cook swished two treys from the deep right corner to put the Lady Panthers ahead to stay, scoring 14 unanswered points, and they led 36-20 at halftime.
“We talked about it before the game,” said Jackson. “She doesn’t look like a shooter, and it’s a very unconventional-looking shot, but it’s effective. She’s, like, 30 percent from out there, and she hurt us.”
While Brookhaven hit 8 of 11 shots in the second quarter, the Lady Tigers were just 2 of 12 in the period, and they shot poorly from the foul line the entire game, making just 6 of 16 free throws.
“One of our keys to winning was to stay calm, take care of the ball,” said Jackson. “We had to rebound, finish at the rim and contest the 3s. And we fell short on most of those. We didn’t finish on the inside and we gave them too many offensive rebounds.”
Senior center Melyia Grayson did what she could, scoring 20 points to lead all scorers, but even Grayson she struggled from the line, converted just 4 of 10 foul shots.
“It meant a lot to me to play as a Hattiesburg Tiger, but it’s come to an end,” said Grayson. “I’ve got to look forward to the next level.”
Grayson has signed to play for Southern Miss, so Lady Tiger fans haven’t seen the last of Grayson.
“It will be good to go across town and watch her play,” said Jackson. “She’ll be able to do some different things than she’s done for us, like shoot the 3 and bring the ball up the court. She did that some for us, but we didn’t ask her to much of that.”
Brookhaven senior Silentianna Collins, an Ole Miss signee, had eight of her team-high 17 points in the second quarter, and she added six more in the third quarter. Cook finished with 15 points for the Lady Panthers, all on 3-point shots.
“We’ve got to take our hats off to Brookhaven,” said Jackson. “They played hard and made the shots when they needed them.”
Jackson will have two starters returning next season in sophomore guard Chloe Thompson and junior guard Dakiyah Lewis, and she will build a little different-looking team around those two.
“I’ve had this group of seniors since they were freshman, so we’re going to miss them,” said Jackson. “I’ve got to do a reset in my mind, because I’ve had them to build around the last four years.
“So, we’re going to go back to the drawing board with our young kids an see what they can do. It will be a different look for us, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Prep Basketball Summaries
MHSAA State Tournament
CLASS 5A SOUTH QUARTERFINALS
Saturday at Poplarville
GIRLS
Brookhaven 67, Hattiesburg 44
HHS 14 8 12 12 – 44
Brook 15 21 18 13 – 67
HATTIESBURG (22-8):Chloe Thompson 2, Chelsea Ulmer 6, Dakiyah Lewis 10, Chaise Stinson 6, Melyia Grayson 20. TOTALS– FG 18-62 (3FG 2-14), FT 6-16 (44).
BROOKHAVEN (27-3):Ayanna McNairy 13, Ashanti Louis 3, Silentianna Collins 17, Kyja Willia 2, Angel Wilkinson 10, Jayla Henry 6, Alexis Kelly 1, Sharquita Cook 15. TOTALS – FG 26-54 (3FG 8-20) 7-13.
POPLARVILLE – One of the most storied senior groups in the history of Hattiesburg girls basketball ended their careers in disappointment, short of another trip to Jackson.
The Lady Tigers went down under a hail of 3-point shots and an offensive onslaught by Brookhaven Saturday afternoon 67-44 in the Class 5A Quarterfinals at M.R. White Coliseum on the Pearl River Community College campus.
Hattiesburg saw its 11-game winning streak ended, finishing its season 22-8. The Lady Panthers (27-3) advanced to the 5A Final Four at Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, where they will play Vicksburg on Tuesday.
‘It was like the scouting report said, they’re a high-powered offensive team,” said Hattiesburg coach Caronica Jackson.
“Everyone on their floor is offensive-minded, and that makes a big difference when you’re two bigs and three guards. We had to get our bigs used to getting out and covering their guards. But they shot the ball well tonight. They were on fire.”
Brookhaven was especially on fire in the second quarter, when the Lady Panthers took over the game, hitting 4 of 6 shots from downtown in a 21-2 surge that basically decided the game.
The two teams played through five ties and four lead changes through the first quarter and the first two minutes of the second quarter. But the last lead change was the harbinger of things to come.
With Hattiesburg leading 18-15, the Lady Panthers tied it up with a 3-point play, then Brookhaven senior Sharquita Cook literally shot from the hip, a weird-looking shot that was as effective as it was unconventional.
Cook swished two treys from the deep right corner to put the Lady Panthers ahead to stay, scoring 14 unanswered points, and they led 36-20 at halftime.
“We talked about it before the game,” said Jackson. “She doesn’t look like a shooter, and it’s a very unconventional-looking shot, but it’s effective. She’s, like, 30 percent from out there, and she hurt us.”
While Brookhaven hit 8 of 11 shots in the second quarter, the Lady Tigers were just 2 of 12 in the period, and they shot poorly from the foul line the entire game, making just 6 of 16 free throws.
“One of our keys to winning was to stay calm, take care of the ball,” said Jackson. “We had to rebound, finish at the rim and contest the 3s. And we fell short on most of those. We didn’t finish on the inside and we gave them too many offensive rebounds.”
Senior center Melyia Grayson did what she could, scoring 20 points to lead all scorers, but even Grayson she struggled from the line, converted just 4 of 10 foul shots.
“It meant a lot to me to play as a Hattiesburg Tiger, but it’s come to an end,” said Grayson. “I’ve got to look forward to the next level.”
Grayson has signed to play for Southern Miss, so Lady Tiger fans haven’t seen the last of Grayson.
“It will be good to go across town and watch her play,” said Jackson. “She’ll be able to do some different things than she’s done for us, like shoot the 3 and bring the ball up the court. She did that some for us, but we didn’t ask her to much of that.”
Brookhaven senior Silentianna Collins, an Ole Miss signee, had eight of her team-high 17 points in the second quarter, and she added six more in the third quarter. Cook finished with 15 points for the Lady Panthers, all on 3-point shots.
“We’ve got to take our hats off to Brookhaven,” said Jackson. “They played hard and made the shots when they needed them.”
Jackson will have two starters returning next season in sophomore guard Chloe Thompson and junior guard Dakiyah Lewis, and she will build a little different-looking team around those two.
“I’ve had this group of seniors since they were freshman, so we’re going to miss them,” said Jackson. “I’ve got to do a reset in my mind, because I’ve had them to build around the last four years.
“So, we’re going to go back to the drawing board with our young kids an see what they can do. It will be a different look for us, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
For more stories by Stan Caldwell go to stanmansportsfan.com.
Photo by Brad Crowe.
Prep Basketball Summaries
MHSAA State Tournament
CLASS 5A SOUTH QUARTERFINALS
Saturday at Poplarville
GIRLS
Brookhaven 67, Hattiesburg 44
HHS 14 8 12 12 – 44
Brook 15 21 18 13 – 67
HATTIESBURG (22-8): Chloe Thompson 2, Chelsea Ulmer 6, Dakiyah Lewis 10, Chaise Stinson 6, Melyia Grayson 20. TOTALS – FG 18-62 (3FG 2-14), FT 6-16 (44).
BROOKHAVEN (27-3): Ayanna McNairy 13, Ashanti Louis 3, Silentianna Collins 17, Kyja Willia 2, Angel Wilkinson 10, Jayla Henry 6, Alexis Kelly 1, Sharquita Cook 15. TOTALS – FG 26-54 (3FG 8-20) 7-13.
