The Jena Lady Giants only played one game this past week but it was a big one that allowed them to remain undefeated in District 2-3A play.
With the snow that came through the area on Tuesday morning, most games scheduled for Tuesday night were cancelled. So, the Lady Giants would end up playing just one game but it would be a big one. The Lady Giants would travel to Bunkie to take on the defending district champion Lady Panthers on Friday, January 24.
Bunkie made it all the way to the semifinals a season ago but would graduate their all-state point guard Carlesia Fields. Bunkie would still return three starters from that team a year ago so it would not be an easy task for the Lady Giants. Since Bunkie has come into the district, the Lady Giants have been unable to beat them the last two years – losing all four contests. Bunkie would come into the game trying to keep their power ranking high enough to make the playoffs while the Lady Giants came in looking to stay unbeaten and keep pace with the Buckeye Lady Panthers on top of the district standings.
Bunkie would take an early 2-0 lead on some made free throws but it would be the only lead they would have in the game. Triniti Williams would put the Lady Giants up for good with a made free throw to give Jena a 3-2 lead. Then, Kaylee Kemp would knock down a long three point shot to give the Lady Giants a 6-2 lead. The Lady Giants would go on a 16-0 run midway thru the first quarter into the second quarter to take a 25-5 lead. At the end of the first half, Sophie Parker would make a three-point shot to beat the buzzer and give the Lady Giants a 35-20 halftime lead.
Bunkie would make a run in the second half to get back into the game. They would get within six points with the Lady Giants holding on to a 43-37 lead near the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Giants would hold Bunkie to only six points. Lily Lacroix would calmly sink two free throws to put the game away late in the fourth quarter as the Lady Giants would go on to win 55-43.
Triniti Williams would lead all scorers with 25 points in the game. Jacquelyn Brooks had 7 points, Sophie Parker had 6 points, Lily Lacroix had 3 points, Kaylee Kemp had 3 points, Hallie Phillips had 2 points, Amerra Jones had 2 points, Noel Kimbrough had 2 points, Braylie Poole had 2 points, Kaylee Hardie had 2 points and Sydney Williams had 1 point.
With the win, the Lady Giants are now 15-8 overall and 3-0 in district play. Jena and Buckeye are the only unbeaten teams left in district play as both teams are 3-0. This Friday the Lady Giants will have another home district game as the Vidalia Vikings come to town. Everyone needs to come out to Guy Campbell Memorial Gymnasium this Friday night at 6:00 p.m. to cheer on the Lady Giants. Let’s see if we can fill the gym and cheer on the Lady Giants as they look to stay unbeaten in district play.
If you can’t make it to the game then you can hear all the action live on 102.7 KJNAFM starting at 6:00 p.m. If you are not in the listening area then you can download the MIXLR app and search for KJNAFM or go online at www.kjnafmjena.mixlr.com.
