BOGUE CHITTO – Freshman forward Christian Black pumped in a game-high 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead three players in double figures as the Bogue Chitto Lady Cats overcame a sluggish start to thump the Durant Lady Tigers 58-42 Monday night in the qualifying round of the MHSAA Girls South State Class 1A playoffs in R.L. “Bob” Calhoun Gymnasium.

“Glad to get the win,” said BC coach Christi Terrell. “We started the game off very slow, but the girls continued working hard to get back in the contest.”

The Lady Cats (25-6) continue their State Tournament march Thursday and battle the Salem Lady Wildcats at 5:30 p.m. in Calhoun Gymnasium. The Lady Wildcats defeated West Lowndes 56-50 last night.

Bogue Chitto won the right to host the Girls South 1A State Tournament. The tournament begins Thursday at 4 p.m. and ends on Saturday night with the championship.

The top two teams will advance to play in the State Tournament in Jackson, March 1.

Bogue Chitto 58, Durant 42

Basketball fans witnessed the opening round of the 1A State Playoffs as the Lady Cats and Lady Tigers provided a tough, physical battle.

The Lady Tigers (12-15) and took command of the first quarter to lead 10-2.

In the second quarter, BC turned up the heat on Durant with their full-court defense and managed to take control of the contest. The Lady Cats outscored the Lady Tigers 16-2 in the second quarter and led 18-12 at halftime.

In the second half, BC’s offense and strong defense continued to roll as the Lady Cats outscored the Lady Tigers 40-30 to preserve the win.

Junior forward Earlnesheia Dillon provided another strong performance to help lead the Lady Cats with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Mattie Avants netted 10 points.

“I thought the girls stepped up big in the rest of the game,” said Terrell. “I am very pleased with the girls effort. They hustled and battled hard throughout the game, after a sluggish start.”

GreAna Davis was the top scorer for the Lady Tigers with a team-high 10 points.

“Bogue Chitto is a good, well-coached team,” said Durant coach Kenyon Ross. “They made some adjustments in the second quarter to fight back into the contest after we led 10-2.

“In the second half, Bogue Chitto continued to hurt us with their penetration inside,” said Ross. “Overall, we did not get the production that we needed from our bench and Bogue Chitto did a good job taking advantage of our early foul trouble.”