Horn Lake set to return to State

from CommercialAppeal.com

The Horn Lake girls basketball team has big plans for March -- a trip to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state tournament in Jackson.

The defending state champions, though, aren't quite done making their February playoff splash.

The Lady Eagles secured another trip to the Mississippi Coliseum with Friday's 68-62 victory over visiting Jackson Murrah. Tonight at 7, a game against Northwest Rankin will determine the North's top seed. NW Rankin defeated Columbus, 85-69, in the other semifinal Friday. Both squads open state tournament play March 2.

"The majority of the girls that are getting minutes -- at this point -- many of them can say they weren't even dressing out varsity last year," said Lady Eagles coach Janna Lyons, "so for them to come in with that determination, that focus and to be able to contribute in the ways that they have, I'm so proud of this group of girls."

Horn Lake (21-3) won more than the opening tip. Lyons' players dominated the first period, outscoring Murrah 19-4. While Lytia Coleman was knocking down a pair of 3-pointers, the Lady Mustangs failed to make any field goals. Kalisha Washington and Sarah Blackmore scored all of Murrah's points from the free-throw line.

"We were excited and just ready to go," Horn Lake senior guard Rosalyn Odum said. "We knew we had to come out strong."

The Lady Mustangs (19-9) made a 10-0 run midway through the second period, but Horn Lake answered with a 10-point stretch and took a 36-19 lead into halftime. It was a back-and-forth third period, but the Lady Eagles led 49-38 entering the final period.

Horn Lake had its hands full with Washington, who scored Murrah's first nine points in the fourth. A fifth foul ended her night at the 1:02 mark. Washington finished with a game-high 26.

The last six points for the Lady Eagles came on free throws by Brittany Grant.