Lady &8216;Cats

By James Gilmore

The Selma Times-Journal

BIRMINGHAM – Tuesday afternoon’s state semi-final game was not the game for the R.C. Hatch High School Lady Bobcats to get off to their usual slow start.

They paid for it this time.

As they could not overcome the torrid second half shooting of the 5th ranked Sand Rock Lady Wildcats and that led to their demise, 69 – 63 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Complex.

The Lady Wildcats shot 67% in the 2nd half, hitting 12 of 18 shots.

“They got the lead in the first half and we were never able to catch up,” said Hatch coach Walter Abraham.

The Lady Bobcats never led in this contest.

They had their chances in the second half attempting 19 more shots than Sand Rock.

“We knew they were a comeback team, so we were prepared for it,” said SRHS coach Lisa Bates.

Hatch feel behind early, trailing 15 – 8 after one quarter and 27 – 23 at the half.

Early in the 3rd quarter the Lady Wildcats put together a 10 – 2 run to take a double digit lead.

But Ahjah Mitchell knocked down 13 of the next 16 Hatch points to get her team within one with 6:47 left in the fourth quarter.

But from that point on the Lady Bobcats could only hit 4 of their next 12 shots, while the Lady Wildcats hit 4-of-4 field goals and 12-of-18 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

“Their ball handling ability hurt our pressure defense,” added Abraham.

“We had a great season, though. We were one of only four teams to make it here. I&8217;m very proud of our seniors.”

Vinecia Dudley led Hatch with 28 points, three assists, and three steals.

Mitchell finished with 20 points and grabbed a game high 12 rebounds.

Latoria Paige added 13 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

The Lady Bobcats ends its season with a record of 26 – 5.