Tatum stings Atlanta

UNION GROVE, Texas– Essence Allen and Ashton Brown combined for 41 points, and Tatum turned a close game into a blowout with a big second half on Friday en route to a 67-41 win over the Atlanta Lady Rabbits in Class 3A area playoff action.

Allen scored 23 points, nine coming in the fourth quarter and 15 coming after intermission, to lead the way for Tatum (27-6), which advances to face Winnsboro next week in the regional quarterfinals.

Atlanta, which knocked off defending state champion Mount Vernon earlier this week to open the playoffs, ends the year with a 20-8 record.

Allen added seven steals, eight rebounds and three assists for Tatum. Brown recorded a double-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, and Jayla Hooper had a triple-double for the Lady Eagles with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Radaisha Jones chipped in with four points, 10 rebounds and a couple of steals. Adriana Bradley added four points, three rebounds and six assists, and Jasmine Rogers finished with four points and three assists.

Atlanta was paced by standout junior Keyona Easter, who finished with 23 points. Shevonia Smith and Gracie Smith added five apiece, and Deasiah Alexander and Cyrah Jones scored two points apiece. Sheveonia Smith and Gracie Smith are seniors. Alexander is a freshman and Jones a junior.

Tatum held a slim 17-16 lead after one quarter and built a 34-31 halftime lead before outscoring the Lady Rabbits 18-6 in the third to take control of things and then using a 15-4 outburst in the final eight minutes to put the game away.