By Emmalee Molay
The Natchez Democrat

FERRIDAY — Twelfth-ranked Ferriday High School used its size to control the basket and dominated on defense, breezing to a 52-26 victory over No. 21 Pine in the bi-district round of LHSAA Class 2A action Thursday.
Senior Breyanna Brown led the Lady Raiders’ effort with 15 points.
“We didn’t play well and didn’t do the things we needed to do to win,” Pine coach Mary McGinnis said. “Their size really wore on us, and we couldn’t keep them off the boards early.”
Freshman Pacha Poole was the go-to inside player for Ferriday, and was able to score 15 of her 19 points before the half.
“Our immediate game plan was to go inside and feed the post,” Ferriday coach Lisa Abron said. “I noticed that (Pine) didn’t have anybody that could match up with us, so that’s what we did.”
Abron said although Poole is young, she is giving everything she has so far this season.
“It’s all just fun for her,” she said. “As long as it continues to be a lot of fun, it goes in our favor because she has a wonderful game when she does.”
Pine had a difficult time getting into an offensive rhythm and was held to single digit scoring in each quarter.
With the quick lead, the Lady Trojans used the clock in their favor.
Shanique Hillard, Anasia Tuner and Diamond Johnson made passes back and forth holding the ball for about three minutes before the break.
When they finally forced the possession under the rim, it was Poole who came up with the offensive rebound and tipped in the goal to put Ferriday up at the half, 23-11.
“I kind of talked it over (with my assistant) and said ‘we don’t have to shoot it,’” Abron said. “We wanted to make them come out on us. We knew it would be to our advantage because I noticed that their ball handling wasn’t that crafty.”
Savannah Kennedy added five points for the Lady Raiders.
Bethany McGinnis, Karley Voth and Hannah Ard all had two.
Pine ends its season with a 15-15 mark.
“We had a good year, and we hope to improve next year,” McGinnis said.