Lady Cougars represent Leon County in Final Four at State basketball tourney

For the first time in their 50-year history the Lady Cougars basketball team advanced to the state semi-fi- nals in Austin. Unfortunately the Cougars tangled with the defending 2A State Champion Brock Lady Eagles in the semis.

Brock has won five state championships since 2002 and proved to be extremely tough as they had two girls over 6’ tall, and all the starters from last year’s state champion returned this year.

The Cougars started very slowly and did not score in the first quarter, allowing the Eagles to open up a 12-0 lead. Six footer Kenisha Harris scored all of the Eagles’ points in that quarter, including 10 of 10 free throws. The Cougars tallied 8 in the second quarter but the Eagles collected 10 and the Cougars trailed by 8-22 at the half. The Cougars needed a hot third quarter and scored 9 but the Eagles responded with 15 and the Cougars fell further behind, trailing 17-37 entering the final quarter. LHS tallied 12 in the final quarter the Eagles got hot and scored 22 to post a 59-29 victory. With the win the Eagles moved into the finals against Wall on Saturday March 4th. Wall could not handle the tall and talented Eagles and Brock won 38-33 to repeat as state champion.

Allison Carrigan scored 11 points and Monique Dorsey and Ashley Shuldham 6 each to lead the Cougars. Dorsey, Shuldham, and Chrysti Grayson pulled down 3 rebounds each to pace the Cougars on defense. The taller Eagles controlled the boards as the Cougars had only 17 rebounds.

Stats for the Cougars: Monique Dorsey 6 points, 3 rebounds; Jentry Clary 3 points, 2 rebounds; Allison Carrigan 11 points, 2 rebounds; Elissa Downey 2 rebounds; Chelby Stanford 2 rebounds; Ashley Shuldham 6 points, 3 rebounds; Kori Charlton 3 points; Chrysti Grayson 3 rebounds.

The Cougars lost 6 from last years team but coach Foley rebuilt his team to advance to the state tournament. Five seniors graduate this year but Foley has several girls from the junior varsity that will move to the varsity next year and will get a lot of playing time.Coach Foley said “Our team played hard all year and we peaked at the right time in the playoffs and made history by advancing to the final four in Austin for the first time”.

The five seniors that graduate are Monique Dorsey, Jentry Clary, Elissa Downey, Kendle Charlton, and Chrysti Grayson. Good luck ladies and congratulations on a great season this year. You created a lot of excitement for Jewett this year on the court and you excelled in the classroom.