Coming into the 2018-19 season, the members of the Coahoma Early College High School girls’ basketball team listed a number of goals they wanted to achieve.
“When you get this far, you begin to add on goals,” said Isaac Morris, the first-year coach of the Lady Tigers. “We scratched off everything we listed to do starting this summer. Every goal we listed, we accomplished. However, one of those was the state championship, and we fell short.”
Fresh off their district tournament win on Friday night at Water Valley, the CECHS girls were on a high coming into their first-round matchup against visiting Alcorn Central in the Class 3A state playoffs.
However, a 19-point halftime deficit proved too much to overcome as they fell, 43-37, ending their season with an 18-11 mark. The number of wins was triple the number recorded a year ago.
“We dug ourselves a hole early in the game, and we climbed out, but there’s a clock up there for a reason. Time runs out,” Morris said.
On Monday night, the Lady Tigers made a second-half run with consecutive 3-pointers by juniors Jakedra Lemon and Aaliyah Davis ignited the momentum for a huge comeback at the start of the third quarter. Unfortunately, the Lady Tigers struggled to gain the lead and Alcorn Central was able to finish strong.
Juniors Za’Rihha Green and Davis each had 10 points to lead the Lady Tigers on Monday and will be two of nine returning players next season. CECHS will lose three graduating seniors: Z’mya Austin, Mykerria Jones and Bionce Myles.
Alcorn Central (13-20) will take on Nettleton (21-8) on Friday in the second round of the 3A state playoffs.
Tigers advance to second round
The Tigers advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 73-43 win at Mantachie on Tuesday night.
Willie Eagins Jr. had 19 points, six rebounds and three assists; Thomas Williams Jr. had 12 points, five rebounds and three steals; and Trey Payno had 18 points, five steals and five rebounds.
The Tigers play Yazoo County at 7 p.m. Saturday in the second round.
The Tigers beat Water Valley 73-70 in the district tournament at Water Valley.
Williams Jr. had a double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks, three steals and three assists; Eagins Jr. had 12 points and five rebounds; and Payno had 14 points and five steals including the game-winning 3-pointer.
Williams Jr., Payno and Eagins Jr. were on the all-tournament team.
