The Lady Cats’ basketball team, 4-0 for the season, won a thriller in their opening game in the three-day Winnsboro Hoopfest defeating the host team, 56-52 Thursday morning (November 29). The Lady Cats overcame a packed partisan gym and a loud student group right behind their bench.
The game was a nip and tuck affair with the Lady Cats leading by two after the first quarter, trailing by one at halftime and up by one after three quarters. The Lady Cats began to open a slight lead in the fourth quarter leading by as many as five points.
The Lady Cats got big late game points from several players: Kate Womack hit a big three pointer, Autumn Tanton had a big basket and Sadavia Porter hit several key free throws. Porter led the Lady Cats with 24 points. Porter also hit three three-baskets including a 40 foot shot right before the buzzer at the end of the second quarter. Porter also fell hard to the court twice but mostly played through elbow injuries. Tanton had 14 points and some big rebounds. Nylah Lindley poured in 8 points and did a solid job rebounding. Danielle Godbolt scored 5 points and was a force on defense blocking numerous shots. Womack had 3 points and Latavia Smith scored 2.
As Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell was being interviewed near the Lady Cats’ locker room after the game, she could barely be heard over the delighted shrieks coming from the victorious locker room. Coach Tisdell called it an awesome win and well earned. She said the two-man referee crew did a good job calling such an intense game. Coach Tisdell said Womack had a big contribution to the win playing during critical times in the game due to foul trouble for other players.
The Lady Cats complete pool play against Emory Rains, Thursday at 2:40 p.m. in the Winnsboro Middle School Gym.