Bay Springs is one of four teams left in 2A.
The Lady Bulldogs marched to the Class 2A semifinals with a 66-53 win over the West Lincoln Lady Bears. Riding an 11-game win streak has to bolster confidence in Bulldogs Nation.
Head coach Nedra Hosey won two state titles as a player and has been to "The Big House" four times as a coach with three different schools. She had this to say about the upcoming chance to advance, "My nerves are worse because I feel this team has the potential if they will just go out and do it."
Hosey realizes the pressure as a coach and knows her seniors are special.
"Katie (Kaitlyn Ellis) and Jalehah Shelby can sometimes be vocal and encourage the younger players. They started in seventh grade and haven't stopped playing together since. Zaria [Louis], Katie, Jaliyah, and Zanyshuai [Jones] are the base of this team," she commented.
The upperclassmen are not the only producers for Bay Springs Hosey noted,
"Hailee (Nixon) stepped up, and Alexus (Nixon) was also a key player. Alexus is a silent killer that comes in and puts points points up for us. Then we had Zybrayla [Mackey] come in and get good rebounds and tough baskets for us."
Alexus Nixon and Jalehah Shelby had 13 points each, while Kaitlyn Ellis had 24 points. The Bulldogs had a fair outing on defense. The Bears only had two in double-digit figures.
"I don't know anything about Coahoma. I can only do one game at a time. So, I will be busy this weekend breaking down film," said Hosey about their upcoming semifinal match.
They play the tradition-rich Coahoma County Red Panthers. The Panthers have a 28-3 record and have not lost a game since December 21, 2019, and that was against a Tupelo, one of the largest schools in Mississippi. That game is set to tip-off Tuesday at 9 a.m. at Memorial Coliseum in Jackson, MS.
