JACKSON — They say basketball is a game of runs.
Booneville used one at the right time on Saturday.
The Blue Devils used a big second quarter and a strong defense as they held off Noxubee County 46-30 to claim the MHSAA Class 3A girls basketball championship at Mississippi Coliseum.
The Tigers scored 30 points in both games at the Big House, defeating Union 30-26 in Wednesday’s semifinals before Saturday’s defeat. Tootie Lockett scored a game-high 18 points to lead Noxubee County (19-12).
“The ball just wasn’t bouncing our way,” Tigers coach Micheal Johnson said.
It’s Booneville’s (29-2) third state title and first since 2016.
“Game was very emotional, a lot of ups and downs and, the girls fought through it and got it done,” Booneville coach Michael Smith said. “Our girls gave them a big punch in the second quarter and again in the fourth quarter.”
Noxubee County held a 10-9 lead in the first quarter. The second quarter was all Booneville, as they outscored the Tigers 18-1 during the period to take a commanding 27-11 lead at halftime.
“The second quarter was rough, and we dug ourselves a hole,” Johnson said.
“Our kids were like, we got your best in the first quarter, and they came out in the second with our best,” Smith said. “We showed a ton of discipline and were patient. We waited to do what we wanted when we wanted. We made them guard for an extended period of time, and I can’t be more proud of them.”
Noxubee County cut the lead to 11 points at 28-17 early in the third quarter as the Tigers went on a 6-1 run.
Taitianna Beene scored seven of Booneville’s 10 points in the third quarter, including back-to-back lay-ups to give the Blue Devils a 37-25 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Booneville scored the first five points of the final quarter to take a 42-25 lead and seal the state title.
The Blue Devils held Noxubee County to 31 percent shooting from the field as the Tigers made 11 of 35 shots.
“We were fortunate that we turned the intensity up and did a good job of getting good shots and getting up and down the floor,” Smith said. “This team won five games last year, and that was a hard pill to swallow. They handled it well and responded with a championship this year, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of human beings.”
Beene had 17 points to lead Booneville and was named the game’s most valuable player.
“We kept applying pressure on defense and being aggressive on defense,” Beene said. “I kept getting chances of getting to the basket and took advantage.”
While the season came to a disappointing end for the Tigers, they had a Cinderella run to remember during the postseason. Noxubee County was 11-11 after ending the regular season with a 46-36 win at Amory. The Tigers allowed an average of 32.8 points per game during their five tournament victories, and they did it with a roster that includes one senior.
“We’ve got a very young team, so we will get back to work and try to make another run,” Johnson said.
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