BOGUE CHITTO – Coach Mickey Myers and his Bogue Chitto LadyBobcats are on their way back to the “Big House” in Jackson Mondayafter beating the Dexter Lady Bulldogs 72-64 in Saturdayafternoon’s consolation game of the South State 1A basketballtournament. They were powered by junior center Yolanda Drummond’s22 points in Calhoun Gymnasium.

Bogue Chitto (20-6) will play in the Mississippi Coliseum at 1p.m. against the loser of Saturday night’s North title game betweenMyrtle and Ingomar.

In Saturday’s championship game, Durant posted a 65-59 win overMcAdams. Durant will play Friday, March 1, at 6:30 and McAdamsplays Monday night at 6:30.

In Friday’s semifinals, Durant hammered Bogue Chitto 70-45 andMcAdams clobbered Dexter 69-49.

Saturday’s game with Dexter was a do-or-die for the Lady Bobcatsand the Lady Bulldogs.

Bogue Chitto came into the final frame leading Dexter 49-45.Dexter (21-11) tied the game only once, 52-52, with 6:33 leftfollowing a jumper by Carmiel Gamble.

The game stayed close until 1:31 mark when junior guard RandiMoak netted two free throws and reserve Marley Porter hit a jumperto push the Lady Bobcat lead to four points, 66-62.

Free throws became the key in the fourth quarter for BogueChitto. After missing a pair with 24 seconds left, Moak return tothe free throw line twice following a quick steal and was fouled.Moak netted two freebies with 22 seconds left and two more freethrows with 14 seconds remaining to push the Lady Bobcats a 70-64lead. Guard Jessica Melton scored the final two points of the gamefrom the charity line to secure the 72-64 win for Bogue Chitto with13 seconds on the clock. The Lady Bobcats were 12 of 14 in thefourth quarter and 23 for 29 on the night from the charityline.

Dexter missed a three-pointer and Lady Bobcat Marquita Ratcliffgrabbed the rebound to run out the final seconds off the clock andpreserve the win.

“We played as a team with a lot of heart,” said Bogue Chittogirls coach Mickey Myers Saturday following the win. “We didn’thave the athletic advantage. Our fans have been very supportativeof our players.”

Bogue Chitto led 23-18 in the first quarter as Durant hit three-back-to-back three pointers with two minutes left to quickly cutthe lead to five points.

The Lady Bobcats pushed their lead to nine points, 41-32, athalftime. Bogue Chitto had an 11-point lead until the final 9seconds when Gamble hit a pair of free throws.

Bogue Chitto center Yolanda Drummond led her team with 22 pointsand five rebounds. Drummond got in foul trouble at the end of thefirst half and had 20 points. She returned in the third briefly,scored two points and picked up her fourth foul. Drummond returnedthe midway in the fourth quarter and soon was charged with herfifth foul.

Myers credited interim coach Jack Case for helping out when hehad to be away from school. “I can’t say enough about Coach JackCase and what he has done for us this year.”

Adding support to the Bogue Chitto win with 20 points, includingfour 3-pointers, was Randi Moak. Melton collected 17 points, ninerebounds, four steals and five assists. Meleah Brown also grabbedfive rebounds.

Gamble directed Dexter with 25 points. YshasKia Harris netted 18points, including three 3-pointers.

Durant 65, McAdams 59

In the championship game Saturday, Ashley Howard powered Durantwith 26 points. Monchel Howard netted 13 points followed byLaVannah White with 12 points.

McAdams got 21 points from Ashton Washington. Scoring 15 pointswas Tikeshia Brown.

Durant 70, Bogue Chitto 45

In Friday’s semifinals, Durant’s Ashley Howard opened the gamewith a three-pointer and the visiting Lady Tigers never lookedback. The Lady Bobcats trailed the rest of the game. Bogue Chittocut the deficit in the first quarter to one point several times butDurant answered back to increase its lead.

The Lady Tigers led 14-12 in the first quarter, 39-22 in thesecond quarter and 54-27 going into the final frame.

“I thought they (Bogue Chitto) were a whole lot faster,” saidDurant grils coach Catherine McCrory. “That’s why we pressed them.We had to play straight up defense because Bogue Chitto could shootfrom the outside.”

Monchel Howard directed Durant with 29 points followed by AshleyHoward with 28 points.

“We didn’t play well,” said Myers. “We didn’t execute. We are abetter basketball club than what we showed tonight.”

Bogue Chitto got 15 points and four steals from Melton. Moakfinished with 12 points, eight rebounds, six steals and fourassists. Marquita Ratcliff netted 10 points.

McAdams 69, Dexter 49

In Friday’s other semifinals game, Tikasia Brown led McAdamswith 32 points. Ashton Washington finished with 13 points.

Harris paced Dexter with 14 points. Gamble netted 12 followed byShera Marks with 10 points.