It resembled more of a rugby or hockey match, but it was a girl’s basketball game and in the end Quitman defeated Alba-Golden 45-35 in a District 12-3A match-up last Tuesday. It was a bittersweet win for Coach Blake Hamrick, who started his successful high school career at Alba-Golden and came over to Quitman this year.

The rough and tumble game saw both teams hustling and hitting the hardwood floor after loose basketballs and errant rebounds by both teams. Quitman post Ava Burroughs had to leave the game after a shoulder injury in the second half.

The teams fought back and forth in the opening quarter and the Lady Panthers took an 11-10 edge. The Quitman defense came alive in the second quarter holding Alba-Golden to just five points while scoring 11 to make it a 21-16 at the half.

Quitman came out ready to battle in the second half scoring 15 points in the third quarter using a press and causing numerous turnovers. Quitman led 36-26 going into the final frame. Each time it looked as though Quitman would pull away, the Lady Panthers fought back. Whitehurst and Shelby Hayes kept the Lady Bulldogs on task with timely offense and solid defense. 

Lady Bulldogs Maddy Whitehurst, Kynlee Love, Reiny Luman and Burroughs led Quitman on the boards. Quitman held a 30-16 rebound advantage. Whitehurst hit for 13 points while Hayes was 3-3 on three-point shots for nine points. Freshman wing Madyson Pence played like a veteran scoring eight points and playing solid defense. Other scoring for Quitman was from Love and Lindsey Hornaday each with four points, Luman three and Burroughs and Julia Simpkins two apiece. 

Lady Panthers Bella Crawford and Hannah Wright battled in the lane, leading to nine offensive rebounds. Crawford hit for nine points and Wright powered her way to seven. Cacie Lennon and Wright each hit for six points while Jordan Barnhart had three and Autumn Whitten two.