TYLERTOWN – The Bogue Chitto Lady Cats survived a tough defensive battle against the Dexter Lady Bulldogs Friday night to prevail 62-47 in the second round of the Class 1A State Playoffs. With the win, the Lady Cats have punched their ticket for the “Big Dance” at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

“We are excited to be heading to the Big House,” said BC coach Christi Terrell. “The girls played really well against a tough Dexter girls team. In the first half, we came out focus and shot the ball really well as we managed to take a big lead into halftime.

“In the second, we came out flat both offensively and defensively in the third quarter and Dexter rallied back into the contest,” continued Terrell. “In the fourth quarter, both teams struggle hit their shots, but my girls continued to fight through Dexter’s pressure and managed to find their offensive rhythm to push the lead back out and get the win. I am extremely proud of my girls efforts.”

The Lady Cats (26-6) will played the winner of West Union/Coffeeville contest, Wednesday afternoon at 12 p.m.

This year, the MHSAA has elected to host the rest of the North and South State game tournament games in Jackson. The girls will play the rest of their games at the Coliseum, beginning March 4 through March 14.

The boy teams will play their remaining games at Jackson State University until the final four teams of each classification remain in which the games will be move to the Coliseum.

Bogue Chitto 62. Dexter 47 

The Lady Cats traveled Walthall County Friday night to face a very familiar rival, the Dexter Lady Bulldogs, in a tough defensive battle, where the winner move on to the Big House.

Bogue Chitto and Dexter basketball fans gathered at Dexter Gymnasium to watch this big event as the Lady Cats and Lady Bulldogs came out strong in the opening quarter in a back-and-forth contest, until BC managed to pull away late and claim a 17-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Lady Cats continued their hot shooting streak and outscored the Lady Bulldogs 20-13 to take a commanding 37-23 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Dexter and Bogue Chitto continued their fierce battle as the Lady Bulldogs managed to capitalized on BC’s offensive and defensive struggles in the third quarter and outscore the Lady Cats 19-11 to cut down BC’s lead to 48-42 after three quarter of action.

In the final quarter, the battle continued to heat up for both teams defensively. After a up and down scoreless struggle in the first few minutes of the quarter, Dexter (20-11) managed to cut BC’s lead down to 48-46 with four minutes left.

After a quick BC timeout, the Lady Cats responded with a huge 14-1 explosion to finish off the Lady Bulldogs and punch their tickets for the Big Dance Wednesday.

“I wished that we would have begin the game the way we played in the second half,” said Dexter coach Steven Fortenberry. “Bogue Chitto has a very good team and they made the plays at the end to earn the win.”

Junior guard Zariah Matthew had monstrous game for the Lady Cats as she led the team with 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Shakirianna Jefferson contributed 10 points, to rebounds and three assists. Christian Black powered the Lady Cats on the boards with 12 rebounds and score six points. Taneshia May pumped in eight points and had five rebounds.

Tamyra Harvey was the scoring leader for the Lady Bulldogs with 23 points. Neqiuvia Hargrove chipped in with nine points and Kelronisha Jefferson scored seven points.