The next stop for the Choctaw County girls basketball team is the Williams Assembly Center at Jackson State University following a 65-61 victory over Ruleville Central in the second round of the MHSAA 3A playoffs. The Lady Chargers will play Jefferson Davis County in the Elite Eight at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Choctaw County built up a 40-17 lead over Ruleville Central midway through the third quarter, but had to hold on for the win after the Lady Tigers cut the deficit to 60-57 in the final minute. Lakyshia Mitchell sank four free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
“We got the lead and we kind of relaxed on defense,” said coach Cory Guyton. “We let them get to the foul line. We missed some free throws and they made some free throws.”
Mitchell led the Lady Chargers with 23 points. Brysa Maxwell had 20 and La'Genesis Johnson 17.
In the opening round, Choctaw County pulled out a 64-62 overtime victory against North Pontotoc despite having three starters foul out in regulation time. Maxwell led Choctaw County with 27 points and six rebounds before fouling out. Mitchell had 15 points and Johnson 14 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
This is the first year for Jefferson Davis County, which, like Choctaw County, resulted from the consolidation of two schools, Prentiss and Bassfield. The Lady Jaguars (22-8) reached the quarterfinals with victories over Southeast Lauderdale 65-49 and Jefferson County 35-19.
Jefferson Davis County is led by 5-10 senior Azaria Magee, who has been in double figures every game this season and is averaging 20.7. She had 33 points against Southeast Lauderdale and 26 in the Jefferson County game.
“She's very athletic, ” Guyton said. “We're going to have to contain her and keep her at a level stage.”
According to the website MaxPreps, Jefferson Davis is the state's ninth ranked 3A team, one spot ahead of Choctaw County.
A victory over Jefferson Davis County could mean a semifinal matchup with defending champion Choctaw Central, the top-ranked 3A team, Wednesday, March 7 at the Mississippi Coliseum.
