Lady Hornets Headed To Lakeland; Graceville & Marianna Fall 2/26/09

By Clint Cox

While three Jackson County girl’s varsity basketball teams made it all the way to their respective Regional Finals this past Saturday night, the Cottondale Lady Hornets will be the lone team to represent Jackson County in Lakeland at the FHSAA Final Four. Cottondale earned the trip to Lakeland with a 52-49 road win over the Lady Tiger Sharks of Port St. Joe. Shay Wright was the top Lady Hornet as she posted 20 points in the win. With the win Cottondale improved to 21-5 on the season and will take on First Academy on Thursday at 10:30 am (CST).
The Marianna Lady Bulldogs advanced to the Regional Finals for the first time in more than 20 years but came up short in a 65-55 loss to Jacksonville Ribault. Marianna hung close through out the game and trailed by just four points late in the game. But Ribault pulled away in those final minutes for the 10 point victory. Niesha Butler led the way for the Lady Bulldogs with 18 points while Tierra Butler and Janae Godwin each added 10. Marianna finished the season under Head Coach Charles Brown Jr. with a record of 19-8.
The Graceville Lady Tigers traveled to Tallahassee to take on FAMU High and fell 62-43. The final score however was not indicative of just how close the game was even until late in the third quarter when the Lady Baby Rattlers broke open to close the game. FAMU jumped out to a quick lead but Graceville rallied late in the first quarter and trailed just 13-12 when the quarter ended. FAMU then reeled off 15 unanswered points to start the second quarter. Graceville finally broke their scoring drought during the quarter but trailed 31-21 at the half. The Lady Tigers came out in the second half with a newfound intensity. Behind the scoring of Alyssa and Ashley Hogans, along with Cayla Walker, Graceville began a comeback that pulled them to within 2 points, 34-32. Late in the quarter the Lady Tigers still trailed by just two points at 36-34. FAMU however reeled off an 8-2 run to close out the third quarter and led 44-36 going into the final quarter. That final quarter belonged to FAMU as they outscored Graceville 18-7 on the hot shooting of Precious Hall, who finished with 28 points on the night. Graceville, which finished the season at 25-3, was led by Mychea Williams with 13, Jessica McClendon with 8 and Walker with 7.