By Curtis Rockwell, Sports Editor
The Picayune Item
JACKSON —
Former Poplarville standout Bretta Hart is on the verge of making history.
Hart, who started for the Lady Hornets basketball team for three seasons before transferring to Bay High over the Summer just before her senior season, and her Lady Tiger teammates are one win away from leaving their marks in the history books.
The Lady Tigers are 35-0 and face defending champ Pontotoc for the Class 4A state championship here at the Mississippi Coliseum Friday night at 7 for the state title. Pontotoc was the last team to beat Bay High, knocking the Lady Tigers off in the overall state semifinals last season before taking the crown four days later.
Bay High is coming off a 74-31 shellacking of North Pontotoc in the semifinals Monday night. Pontotoc defeated Raymond earlier in the day to set up the rematch.
"I think we can win t all if we just stay humble and work hard and keep our assignements," Hart said. "We are all on the same page. We aren't selfish and we help each other out. Our team chemistry has gotten us this far, and it will take us as far as we want to go."
In their latest win, the Lady Tigers wasted no time in firmly establishing themselves jumping out to a quick 16-0 lead in the first quarter. Bay High pushed the lead even further by intermission, with a 33-12 lead, and the contest was all but over at that point.
Before the season began, Hart and her junior teammate standout Christa Reed were each named to the prestigious Dandy Dozen team as selected annually by The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson. Reed has been named the 15th best junior player in the nation by one recruiting service.
Reed led Bay Monday night with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Breanna Smith added 18 points followed by Terrica Williams and Jamaya Galloway with 10 points each. Hart had eight points and eight rebounds despite fouling out.
"It's great to be playing here at Bay," Hart added. "I just felt like I fit right in as soon as I got here. Coach (Debbie) Triplett is great coach. She always knows what to do and how to handle me."
"Bay High is an excellent team and may be the best team I have coached against in 30 years," North Pontotoc head coach Shane Montgomery said.
With another win on Friday night, Bay High will not only look to win another state title but finish 36-0 as well and become the first team in South Mississippi to finish unbeaten in a season in 25 years.
Not only are the Lady Tigers looking for their first state title since 2005, but Reed is chasing the sixth state championship ring for her family.
Her oldest sister Stephanie won one at Bay High in 2003. Her second oldest sister Kendra won titles in 2003 and 2005 on her way to being named Miss Basketball before going on to play at Southern Miss. And Tamara won one playing at Bay (2005) before transferring to Wayne County after Hurricane Katrina and winning one there in 2006.
