JACKSON — Hustle, defense and free throws carried the WestLincoln Lady Bears to a 41-35 Wednesday night victory over Houlka’sLady Wildcats. Directing the Lady Bears in the opening round of theClass 1A State Tournament at the Mississippi Coliseum were juniorcenter Alicia Kennedy and sophomore guard Erica Shaw with 14 and 11points respectively.

The victory, West Lincoln’s first state tournament win in over30 years, advances the Lady Bears (26-5) to the semifinals. They’llplay McAdams Tuesday night at 6:30.

West Lincoln second-year coach Lane Young was pleased with histeam’s performance. “From the get-go our intensity level was high.We weren’t intimidated. Our guards pressured them and our bench dida good job again. Christine (Hunt), Lauren (Smith) and Savannah(Palomarez) did well.”

Houlka (27-11), the North Mississippi runner-up, died at thefree throw line. The Lady Wildcats only made 4 of 17 free throws.They missed 2 of 3 free throws after pulling within 4 points,36-32, with 3:23 left to play.

By comparison, West Lincoln made 12 of 23 and outrebounded thetaller Lady Wildcats 31-29. Kennedy grabbed 9 rebounds, Hunt 6 andMonica Price 5.

“We just had to block out,” answered Kennedy when asked how herteam outrebounded the taller Houlka team. “We played hard and weplayed together. It feels great to win.”

A putback by Kennedy gave West Lincoln a 23-15 lead to start thesecond half. Two free throws by Kennedy increased the advantage to12 points, 30-18, with 4:22 left in the third frame.

“We outhustled (Houlka) and made our free throws,” said Shaw.”We wanted to make them foul us.” She made 2 steals and 2assists.

West Lincoln’s advantage in quickness was too much for Houlka tohandle. The hulking Wildcats got 11 points from 5-11 senior postKeona Blanchard and 8 rebounds from 5-11 sophomore PaigeWilliamson.

Houlka took a 10-9 lead with 3:29 left in the first half but theLady Bears got treys from the corners, compliments of Shaw andBrittnee Smith. Kennedy followed with a short jumper and 2 freethrows to put them ahead 21-15 at halftime.

Hunt twisted her left knee after grabbing a rebound with 33seconds left in the game. Young said he thought Hunt would be okayfor the semifinals.

It was a miserable night for Coach Guy McDonald and the Houlkafans who watched their boys team lose 55-49 to Puckett in the lategame Wednesday night.

Tournament notes: Houlka eliminated the WestLincoln girls in consecutive state tournaments, 1984-85, whenretired West Lincoln coach Jack Case was directing the Lady Bears.Case watched his granddaughter, Alicia Kennedy, play last night andgain some belated revenge. “We owed them,” said Case with asmile.