Leake Academy girls capture North State championship
The Leake Academy girls captured the North State Class 4A tournament Saturday with a 63-58 victory over host Pillow Academy.
The Lady Rebels and the Leake Academy boys now advance to the state tournament which will next week at Hillcrest Christian School in Jackson. The tournament was moved back a week back because of the weather. Both teams will play next Tuesday against Simpson. The girls play at 3 p.m. with the boys set to play at 5 p.m.
The Lady Rebels stand at 31-2. In beating Pillow, they avenged of their only losses of the season.
“They are a good team and we had to play hard to beat them,” Coach Amanda Hatch said. “We will face some good teams in the state tournament and we have to keep playing hard.”
The Lady Rebels opened the North State tournament with a 65-15 win over Washington. Emmi Harkins scored 15 points and Miriam Prince put in 10.
Leake Academy then breezed by district foe East Rankin 72-44. The Lady Rebels led 47-22 at the half. Prince led with 18 points while Harkins scored 12. Mabry Mayfield and Emeri Warren both scored 10 points.
Pillow led Leake Academy 12-7 after the first quarter of the championship game. But the Lady Rebels came back in the second quarter, outpointing Pillow 25-14, and led 32-26 at the half. Pillow battled back in the second half, outscoring Leake Academy 32-31. But the Lady Rebels held on for the win. Prince led with 27 points while Harkins, Morgan Freeney and Emeri Warren all scored nine points each.
Leake Academy boys
The Rebels opened the North State tournament with a 69-43 win over Pillow. Leading 33-27 at the half, the Rebels outscored Pillow 36-16 in the second half.
The Rebels then dropped a 78-66 decision to top seeded Magnolia Heights. The Rebels came back in the consolation game to take a 69-53 win over Bayou Academy. Welch led the way with 19 points while Nick Sprayberry scored 15.
The Rebels improved to 13-16 on the season.