JACKSON – Aspriona Gilbert skipped breakfast early Fridaymorning prior to Myrtle’s Class 1A State Tournament game againstWest Lincoln. That lack of nourishment didn’t seem to bother the6-foot sophomore post player as she poured in 23 first-half pointsin leading the Myrtle Lady Hawks to a 57-30 trouncing of WestLincoln’s Lady Bears.

Myrtle (21-15) advances to the championship finals and meetsdefending state champion McAdams Thursday at 1 p.m. McAdams (27-2)eliminated H.W. Byers 56-44 in the other semifinals game.

In 1A boys action, Ingomar beat Durant 70-56 and McAdams eliminatedMyrtle 68-65. They’ll play Thursday at 2:30 in the finals.

Gilbert didn’t score in the third quarter and finished with sevenrebounds before exiting with 2:43 left and the Hawks leading WestLincoln 47-20. She became ill, according to Myrtle coach ChrisGreer.

“Aspriona said she felt sick,” said Greer. “She went to a friend’sroom this morning inside of eating breakfast. I’ll make sure shehas breakfast before the next game.”

Gilbert’s inside presence intimidated and overwhelmed West Lincoln.After leading the Bears 14-12 at the quarter, Myrtle stepped up itsdefensive pressure and Gilbert went to work in the paint. Shescored 15 second-quarter points, including five straight fieldgoals as the Hawks forged a 29-13 advantage.

“We knew we had to stop 45 (Gilbert) and she had her way with us,”said West Lincoln coach Lane Young. “We didn’t have anybody tomatch up with her. We tried a 2-3 zone.”

West Lincoln senior forward Hannah Knouse was among the group ofdefenders trying to slow down Gilbert. “It was tough. A couple ofus were trying to defend around her.”

Gilbert had sustained what Greer described as a “micro fracture” inher leg last summer. “She was out six months. Some of thoseprofessionals (athletes) are out for over a year.”

Greer said he was concerned about West Lincoln’s deliberate,passing style of offense. “We came out a little worried. They werereal deliberate.”

According to Greer, Myrtle is more than a one-person team. “HalliKnowles and Keanna Cox stepped it up on defense for us.”

An estimated crowd of 1,300 watched the 9 a.m. tipoff in the48-year-old Mississippi Coliseum. A jumper from the lane byStephanie Smith had pulled the Bears within two points, 14-12 nearthe end of the first quarter.

West Lincoln (21-12) suffered seven, second-quarter turnovers andnever recovered.

“We made some careless turnovers,” said Young.

It was West Lincoln’s first state tournament appearance since 2005.Young said his team deserved to be in the state tournament.

“These girls have worked hard and four of our seniors have beenwith us since the ninth grade,” said Young. “We won the last twodivision championships and we were runners-up this year.”

West Lincoln senior guard Tati Marshall hit a trey to start thegame and finished with a team-high 12 points. She said Myrtlerelied on its inside game.

“They tried to take it inside,” said Marshall. “They’re a good teamon offense. Everything revolved around 45 (Gilbert).”

On the backboards, Knouse grabbed seven rebounds. Katie Mullins hadsix boards.

Cox, working at point guard for Myrtle, scored 11 points. MeshayCox had 6 rebounds.