After finishing as 5A State Runners-up in basketball action, the Bowling Green Lady Bucs moved on to the MAIS Overall Tournament. After securing two wins last week, the Lady Bucs reached the Final Four where they faced Jackson Prep Monday afternoon.
The 15-team overall tournament features the top three seeds from state tournaments in each MAIS classification (classes 2A through 6A). The first two rounds are held at the higher seeded school of each game with the semi-finals and finals held at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi.
Last Tuesday the Lady Bucs hosted the Regents of Oxford, the #2 seed from Class 2A. Bowling Green jumped out to an early 25-14 lead after one quarter. The Lady Bucs extended their lead with an 18-12 advantage in the second and led 43-26 at the half. Bowling Green outscored the Regents of Oxford 13-10 in the third. An 8-5 fourth quarter increased the margin of victory for the Lady Bucs to 64-41.
Bailey Devall (5 steals and 3 assists) led three Lady Bucs in double figure scoring with 15 points while Bridget Devall (2 rebounds) and Chloe Bertrand (4 steals and 3 rebounds) each had 10 points. Anna Claire Crowe (3 rebounds and 2 steals) and Peyton Dupuy (3 rebounds) each had 6 points, Kaka Seal (6 rebounds and 3 steals) and Claire Wascom (3 rebounds with 2 steals) had 5 apiece, Hope Crowe totaled 3 points with 2 rebounds with Sydney Verret and Kate Penton each finishing with 2.
Friday the Lady Bucs faced the Lady Mavericks of Manchester Academy in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Manchester captured the state title in Class 3A. The Lady Bucs silenced the home crowd by outscoring the Lady Mavericks 13-4 in the first quarter. Bowling Green added to their lead with a 15-13 second-quarter and led 28-17 at the half. Manchester battled back in the third with a 15-8 advantage. The Lady Bucs answered with a 16-10 fourth-quarter to claim a 52-42 road win and advance to the Final Four.
Bailey Devall led with 16 points and 7 rebounds while Kaka Seal (5 steals and 4 rebounds) and Bridget Devall (2 rebounds) each had 10 points. Claire Wascom scored 5 points with 3 rebounds, Anna Claire Crowe had 4 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal, Peyton Dupuy totaled 3 points with 2 rebounds while Chloe Bertrand (5 rebounds) and Hope Crowe each added 2.
Monday afternoon the Lady Bucs took on top-seeded Jackson Prep in the Overall Tournament semi-finals at A. E. Wood Coliseum on the campus of Mississippi College. The Lady Patriots entered the contest with a 33-2 record after winning the 6A state championship.
The Lady Bucs got off to a fast start and led 11-8 after one quarter. Jackson Prep held a slim 8-6 lead in the second with the Lady Bucs owning a 17-16 halftime lead. The Lady Patriots outscored BGS 11-7 in the third to lead 27-24 after three quarters. The Lady Bucs bounced back in the fourth with a 11-8 advantage. Hope Crowe calmly knocked down three free throws after being fouled with 6 seconds left in the quarter to send the game to Overtime tied at 35. The Lady Bucs couldn't buy a basket in the extra period and Jackson Prep escaped a huge upset with a 41-36 final.
Bailey Devall led the Lady Bucs with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists and Claire Wascom scored 8 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Kaka Seal (3 Assists and 2 rebounds) Hope Crowe each had 6 points while Bridget Devall (1 rebound and 1 assist) and Chloe Bertrand (2 rebounds and 2 assists) each finished with 2.
The Lady Bucs finished the season 24-11 and earned honors as one of the top four teams in the state from all classifications.
The final game also marked a tremendous coaching career by Lady Bucs head coach Barry Seal who plans on watching both of his daughters play on the collegiate level.
