Lady Flashes secure playoff spot with 49-44 district win

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — The St. Aloysius girls’ basketball team clinched a playoff berth Friday night with a 49-45 district win over Adams County Christian, completing a key comeback to secure a spot in the postseason.

The Lady Flashes struggled early, falling behind 12-0 in the first quarter. St. Aloysius responded before the end of the period as Taryn Lusby knocked down a 3-pointer and Presley Carr and Annslee Averett added baskets to cut the deficit to 13-9.

St. Aloysius carried that momentum into the second quarter. Lusby and Kelci Bingham scored inside, Carr connected on another 3-pointer, and the Lady Flashes went into halftime trailing 23-22.

Defense proved to be the difference in the third quarter. St. Aloysius held Adams County Christian to just four points while scoring 12 of its own to take a 37-26 lead entering the final period.

Kennadi Blassingame hit two key shots in the fourth quarter, while Averett sealed the win at the free-throw line, converting multiple attempts down the stretch. Averett led the Lady Flashes with 14 points. Lusby finished with 13 points and six rebounds, Bingham added eight, and Carr scored five. Mallory Hobson and Blassingame each had four points, and Analeigh Herring added a free throw.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again Saturday.

In the boys’ game, St. Aloysius defeated Adams County Christian 71-40. Carson Gleese led the Flashes with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Alan Stauts scored 13 and Garrod Bunch added 12 points and four assists. Grant Gattle finished with 10 points and five steals, Carson Henderson(5 rebounds) scored seven, Tre Lee had five, and Carter Henderson added four. Landyn Davis and Sadler Lambiotte(8 rebounds) scored two points each.