Entering the MAIS Class 5A state tournament, most of the focus was on three teams with 30+ wins. The Bowling Green Lady Bucs, led by veteran head coach Barry Seal, embraced the role of underdogs and made their way to the state championship game for the second straight year.
The Lady Bucs would eventually fall to arguably the top girls basketball program in the league, but not before earning the respect and admiration from everyone who faced them or watched them play.
Held on the campus of Brookhaven Academy, the Lady Bucs opened the 5A state tournament by taking on the Lady Cougars of Simpson Academy. The Lady Bucs held a 14-10 lead after the first quarter. A 12-3 second-quarter advantage put Bowling Green ahead 26-13 at the half. Each team scored 8 points in the third quarter. The Lady Bucs outscored Simpson Academy 13-12 in the fourth to complete the 47-33 opening-round win.
Chloe Bertrand led all players with 12 points while adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists, Peyton Dupuy scored 8 points with 2 rebounds and Bailey Devall had 7 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Bridget Devall scored 6 points with 4 rebounds, Claire Wascom had 5 points and 6 rebounds, Kaka Seal totaled 4 points and 4 assists, Hope Crowe added 3 points and 2 rebounds with Anna Claire Crowe finishing with 2 points and 5 rebounds.
In Friday's semifinal action, Bowling Green took on the Lady Colonels of Copiah Academy. Each team scored 8 points in the opening period of play. The Lady Bucs gained a 11-5 second-quarter advantage and held a 19-13 halftime lead. Bowling Green extended its lead with a 9-6 margin in the third quarter. The Lady Colonels made the final score closer by winning the fourth 12-9, but it wasn't enough as the Lady Bucs advanced to the championship game by a 37-31 final.
Bailey Devall scored 14 points with 7 rebounds while Bridget Devall had 8 points and 2 rebounds. Hope Crowe had 6 points, Kaka Seal scored 4 points with 3 rebounds and 2 assists, Chloe Bertrand totaled 3 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals with Claire Wascom finishing with 2 points and 2 rebounds. Anna Claire Crowe added 4 assists and 2 rebounds.
Saturday the Lady Bucs faced the defending 5A champion Leake Academy Rebelettes. The Rebelettes held an early 16-10 lead after one quarter. The Lady Bucs outscored Leake Academy 10-5 in the second quarter and trailed by a slim 21-20 margin at the half. With the game tied at 27, Leake Academy hit a trio of three-pointers that gave them a 36-29 lead after three quarters. Holding a lead midway through the fourth, the Lady Bucs were forced to foul and the Rebelettes converted enough free throws to hold off Bowling Green by a 59-45 final score.
Bailey Devall led the Lady Bucs with 17 points and 10 rebounds with Anna Claire Crowe (3 assists and 2 rebounds) and Claire Wascom (4 rebounds) each scoring 6 points. Kaka Seal and Hope Crowe each had 5 points with 3 rebounds and 2 steals, Chloe Bertrand scored 4 points with 2 steals and Bridget Devall added 2 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals for the Class 5A runners-up.
In this week's Overall Tournament, the Lady Bucs take on the Regents of Oxford, the #2 seed from Class 2A. The first-round game will be held on the campus of Bowling Green School.
