Hattiesburg head coach Caronica Jackson knew it would be tough to defeat the Brookhaven Lady Panthers. On Saturday evening, it proved to be too tough as they defeated the Lady Tigers 67-44 with four Lady Panthers scoring double-digit points.
"Just like the scouting report said, Brookhaven is a high-powered, offensive team. Everyone on the team is offensive-minded. That makes them difficult to guard, especially when you are a 'two big, three-guard' team, so it is all about getting your bigs out and used to covering their guards. Credit to them, though. They shot the ball well tonight and we're on fire, so you can't take anything from them," said Jackson.
The first period between the teams started competitively as Hattiesburg's DeKiyah Lewis scored their first eight points, connecting on two three-point shots and a field goal to give the Tigers an early 8-3 lead. Brookhaven powered back as Ayanna McNairy hit a three and a field goal to help give Brookhaven a 15-14 lead after one period of play.
Hattiesburg jumped out to a quick 18-15 lead in the second period as senior Melyia Grayson hit two free throws and another field goal. McNairy answered back though as she hit a shot and an and-one to tie things back up and begin a scoring run for the Lady Panthers. Back-to-back threes from Sharquita Cook and a three from Silentianna Collins pushed their lead to 27-18. By the end of the period, Brookhaven amassed a 21-2 run on the Lady Tigers.
Brookhaven continued pulling away in the third period, going up by as much as 26 in the period as McNairy and Collins pressed on the gas. Grayson who left in the second period after being shaken up came back in the game to score six points in the third.
"I'm so excited that she [Grayson] will still be in town [at Southern Miss] and we will get to drive over and see her. She's a great kid and I look forward to seeing her growth there. She has so much potential. We used her inside a lot, but I know she will be able to get out on the wing, shoot the three, and bring the ball up the court," said Jackson on senior Melyia Grayson who finished with 20 points.
Despite the loss, Jackson is proud of her senior class and is excited about the young ladies that will move into larger roles next season.
"The group has been with me since they were freshmen. They will be missed. I have to go back and reset my mind because I had that group to build around the past four years. We will get back to the drawing board, come back with the young kids, and see what we can do from there. It will be a different group and look for us next season, but I look forward to the challenge and building from what we have."
