The Lady Tigers fell to Montgomery in the regular season finale 35-23 last Thursday at LaSalle High School in Olla but are set to begin the LHSAA Division IV Non-Select Playoffs this week.
Before the final regular season contest last week, six LaSalle seniors were honored. Mattie Parham, Leanna Womack, Lana Childress, Kele Smith, Jessica Seamans and Victoria Seamans were presented at half court with their families and honored for their time as Lady Tigers (photo on next page). These girls will be missed on the court next year and the Blue and Gold Nation wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
This game itself started as a back-andforth affair, as both teams are mirror images of each other. The one major difference is Montgomery has several more experienced players compared to La-Salle. LaSalle was able to keep this game close as they went into the halftime break only down by 4 points.
The second half was the difference in this game. Beginning the fourth quarter the Lady Tigers had three seniors in foul trouble. This changed the type of defense LaSalle was able to play. The game began to break open after Leanna Womack picked up her fifth foul and Lana Childress was trying to come back from an earlier injury.
LaSalle’s younger players jumped in the game with great hustle, but experience played the biggest part for Montgomery. Montgomery was able to hit free throws down the stretch to widen the lead and then able to hold the ball with a stall game until the final horn.
LaSalle’s future in basketball looks bright as several younger players were able to get valuable experience this season.
LaSalle will now switch gears to the postseason. The Lady Tigers sit now at #19 in the power rankings for Division IV Non-Select. This looks to have a rematch with Montgomery, who sits at #14. This is a good draw for the Lady Tigers as mentioned before they are a mirror copy of each other.
Official brackets were not released before this newspaper’s press deadline, but the Lady Tigers will have a clear picture of their road to a state championship later Monday, February 17. (Check The Jena Times Facebook page to keep track of game days and opponents.) The game should be held Thursday night and if the standings hold true, LaSalle will have to travel for their firstround playoff game.
Let’s pack the stands and cheer on these girls who have worked so hard to make this school and community proud. Hope to see you at the games.
Photos from the game:
