Pillow Academy didn’t end its state championship drought, but the Lady Mustangs did keep their season alive.
Pillow defeated Simpson Academy 63-57 Saturday in the State AAAA Division II consolation game to punch its ticket to the MAIS Overall Tournament this week. The bracket was announced late Saturday night.
“I thought we pushed the ball up the floor much better than we did against Lamar, and that was the difference for us,” PA coach Durwin Carpenter said. “We’re alive for another week and anything can happen because we’re as good as anybody left if we play up to our potential.
“We have to play like we did (Saturday), minus some of those turnovers. We have to protect the ball better.”
The Lady Mustangs’ quest for their first state crown since 2011 ended Friday with a 52-40 loss in the semifinals to Lamar School, which lost 50-30 Saturday in the state championship game.
The Lady Mustangs led Simpson by as many as 12 early in the fourth period, but Pillow’s lead was trimmed to two, 59-57, with 2:39 to play. But PA did just enough the rest of the way from the foul line (4 of 8) to seal the victory.
Two freshmen, Caroline Brock and Kaylee Jones, played key roles in PA reaching its third-highest point total of the season. Brock pumped in 15 points and Jones had 11. Brock also finished with 10 rebounds.
Brock came into the game averaging 4.5 points and Jones 3.9.
“They did an outstanding job coming off the bench for us. They have helped out along the way all season, but they saved their best for when we needed it most,” Carpenter said.
Senior Anna Katherine Alderman was three above her season average with a team-high 18 points. Junior Jane Rob Pannell had 15 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
“Nobody that watches us play much is surprised at what those two girls did. That’s just what we’ve come to expect from A.K. and Jane Rob,” Carpenter said.
Pannell and Alderman were named to the all-tournament team.
Simpson led 17-13 at the end of the first, and the game was tied at 28 at the half.
The Lady Mustangs got a layup from Brock and a long jump shot from senior Mary Morgan Plunkett to spark an 18-9 that left Pillow with a 50-40 advantage heading ino the fourth.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
