Strong’s season ends with loss in quarterfinals

News-Times Staff MOUNT IDA - Strong's run in the 1A State Tournament came to an end in the quarterfinals on Thursday night, as the Lady Bulldogs were upended by Mount Vernon-Enola 52-27.

Dynasty Davis had 15 points for the Lady Bulldogs, who won the 5-1A Regional Tournament last weekend in Emerson.

Poor free-throw shooting doomed the Lady Bulldogs in the first half, as Strong went just 3-for19 from the charity stripe.

With Strong struggling, the Lady Warhawks were able to build a 34-8 lead at intermission.

"We ran into a buzzsaw," said Strong coach Jason Porter. "When we couldn't make free throws, it was basically a turnover. You can't do that against the No. 4 team in the state and expect to stay in the ballgame."

Ladasia Williams added nine points for the Lady Bulldogs.

Although the Lady Bulldogs came up short, Porter was proud of his team's run, and he said the loss will offer plenty of motivation for his team.

"I'm proud of the girls for making it to the Elite Eight," Porter said.

"This team kept working hard all year and we made a run. That's all you can ask for. We are very young, and the experience of going deep in the state tournament is invaluable. We have a great nucleus and a lot of talent coming through junior high. I expect us to be back up here competing for this thing in the next few years. So do the girls.

"They got a taste of it. They know what they have to work on to get past the Elite Eight."

Mara Kuhn/The Sentinel Record To the rim: El Dorado's Czar Perry goes up for a basket as Marion's Keyshawn Woods defends during their game at the 6A State Tournament on Thursday at Lake Hamilton High School. The Wildcats downed Marion 56-53 to advance to the semifinals on Saturday.