Some hot streaks have an expiration date.

Laurel's spectacular playoff run ended on Tuesday inside the Big House at the Jackson Coliseum as the Lady Tornadoes fell to Columbus 57-29 in the Class 5A girls semifinals.

Head coach Sherri Cooley talked about her team's hot streak that began in the Region 5-5A Tournament and later positioned Laurel in the semifinals - the first-ever appearance in program history.

“That right there is going to help us build the program moving forward,” said Cooley. “Kids will see that we can get this deep in the playoffs. I’m already looking forward to next season.”

Laurel entered the region tournament as the No. 3 seed, then knocked off West Jones to get a postseason bid. The Lady Tornadoes then went four rounds deep in the 5A playoffs with wins over Long Beach, Wayne County, and Jim Hill.

“We have to improve on some things,” said Cooley, “but I think we’ll get more girls that’ll want to come into the program because they see the success we had.”

Laurel trailed from the game's first basket to the final buzzer.

“It was a disappointing loss,” Cooley said. “But I have to get credit to Columbus. They’re good and physical. They were too physical for us tonight.”

Columbus marched ahead 6-0 in the early minutes, forcing Laurel to call the game’s first timeout with 5:30 left in the first period. The Lady Tornadoes pulled within one, 13-12, on four three’s to close out the first eight minutes.

Smothering Laurel defensively in the second period, Columbus limited the Lady Tornadoes to just three points - a free throw by India Singleton and a late basket by Kassidy Ulmer. The theme held throughout the contest. The Lady Falcons led 23-15 at the halfway break.

“We knew that coming in,” said Cooley of the Lady Panthers’ defense. “I told our girls that Columbus plays a 2-3 zone, but they play an aggressive 2-3 zone. I don’t think we were prepared for that. We had way too many turnovers.

“But that is okay. It’s a learning tool and a teachable moment.”

Twenty-two turnovers were committed by Laurel in the contest.

Columbus held Laurel to 14 points in the second half while scoring 19 and 15 in the third and fourth periods. They'll move on and play for the Class 5A girls title at The Pavilion on the campus of Ole Miss Friday at 5 p.m.

Columbus had three scorers in double-digits to none from Laurel. Aniya Saddler led the Lady Panthers with 18 points.

Laurel finishes the 2019-2020 season, 16-16.