BOGUE CHITTO – A 29-point scoring performance by Bogue Chittoguard Jessica Melton powered the Lady Bobcats to a key 65-36 winover the Mt. Olive Lady Pirates Monday night in Calhoun Gymnasiumin the first round of the South Mississippi 1A playoffs. Meltonalso collected five rebounds and had 10 assists.

Bogue Chitto advances to Friday and Saturday night’s semifinalsand finals with last night’s win.

Tonight, the Bogue Chitto boys host Puckett in the first roundof South State Boys 1A action.

In other 1A girls games last night, Dexter eliminated Enterprise77-58, McAdams beat Lake 59-56 and Durant edged Sebastopol 71-63 inovertime. In Friday’s semifinals at Calhoun Gymnasium, Bogue Chittoplays Durant at 6:30 and Dexter faces McAdams at 8:30.

Win or lose, all four semifinalists play Saturday, either in theconsolation or championship games.

Before the game began last night, Bogue Chitto principal BobbyAllen announced the Karen Myers, wife of Bogue Chitto girls coachMickey Myers, was in the audience. She received a loud round ofapplause. This was the first game Mrs. Myers has been to attendsince before her cancer surgery in January.

“We outhustled them,” said Coach Myers following the game. “Bythe fourth quarter, the Mt. Olive girls were barely going throughthe motions.”

The Lady Bobcats (19-5) jumped on Mt. Olive for a 20-4 run inthe first quarter.

Mt. Olive (10-20) slowed down the game in the second quarter andbegan taking control of the backboards. The Lady Pirates outscoredthe Lady Bobcats 17-10 to cut the deficit to 30-21 at halftime.

“We picked it up in the second half.” Myers stated. “Wesubstituted the younger players. I like for them to get playoffexperience.”

Mt. Olive scored the first three points, cutting Bogue Chitto’slead to six points, 30-24. Then the Lady Bobcats went on a 19-0 runto take a 49-24 lead in the final frame. Myers played his remainderof his bench in the fourth quarter and they responded favorably

“I was pleased with every player who hit the floor.” saidMyers.

Bogue Chitto also shot well from the free throw line. The LadyBobcats were 19 of 26, with Melton going 9 for 11. “The free throwshooting, that’s encouraging,” added Myers.

Randi Moak pumped in 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and madenine steals. Jessica Thompson finished with eight points.

The Lady Pirates, coached by Kermit Milloy, got 10 points fromSophia McInnis.