The Bogue Chitto Lady Cats are considered as one of the top contenders in the girls’ race for the Region 7-1A crown.

     The Bobcats, in the boys’ race, have a fighting chance to clinch the third or fourth seed before the district tournament arrives.

     The other teams involved in the 7-1A race are West Lincoln, Hinds AHS, Natchez Cathedral, St. Aloysius and Piney Woods.

     Hinds AHS will host this year’s region tournament, beginning Feb. 11, at Utica.

     The Lady Cats (15-2, 1-0), coached by Christi Terrell, are eager to make a return trip to the Big House for the third year in a row. They reached the Class 1A state tournament as the South’s No. 2 team.

     The Cats have sharpened their claws over the holidays and ready to get back to action. They start the second half of the season today, hosting Wesson. The race begins Jan. 11, at Piney Woods.

     In the first half of the season, the Lady Cats looked strong. They used their tough, aggressive defense to overpower opponents.

     Senior guard Adrienne Wallace is leading the team in scoring with 12.1 points per game. Freshmen guard Zariah Matthew is second on the scoring chart with 9.4 ppg.

     Earlnesheia Dillon is the leader on the boards with 7 rebounds per game.

     Coach Terrell said that BC’s strengths entering the second half are effort and hustle. “The girls are doing a great job hustling and giving that extra effort to help us be successful. We are excited to get back to action. We have two non-division games that will help us knock off the rust from the holidays and get ready for the region race.”

     What are BC’s weak points?

     Terrell stated, “We need to do a better job rebounding the ball. We have to do a better job blocking out to utilize our height disadvantage against taller opponents.”

     Coached Terrell stated that Hinds AHS would be the Lady Cats’ toughest challenge in the region race. “Hinds AHS should be a tough team. They lost only one player from last year. I expect them to be a big contest for us. But the main thing is we don’t need to underestimate anyone else in our region.”

     Hinds AHS beat Bogue Chitto in the South State title game last year.

     What are BC’s goals for the second half? “Our overall goal is to make it back to the Big House,” said Terrell. “Our main objective is to continue working hard and steadily improve in practice and in games. Hopefully at the end, we will be peaking at the right time to make a run in the playoffs.”

     The Bobcats (3-13, 1-0) coached by Gareth Sartin, hope to turn things around in the second half. They are currently undefeated in region action. They want to make an impact in the race.

     In their last victory, a 56-20 romp at Enterprise, the Bobcats were led by Germie Martin’s 16 points. Damien Terrell chipped in 14 points and Dennis Rogers 13.