The McAdams girls basketball team celebrated coach Ashley Brown’s birthday Monday with a 62-26 victory over Richton in the opening round of the MHSAA 1A playoffs. “They gave me the best birthday present I could ask for.”
The Lady Bulldogs will play at Bay Springs Friday.
McAdams had an easy time against Richton, the third seed from Region 8-1A. The Bulldogs led 12-4 after the first quarter, then blew the game open with 29 points in the second period for a 41-11 halftime lead.
Brown attributed the easy win to two factors. “The press and 3-point shooting won the game for us.”
The Lady Bulldogs made eight from behind the arc, three by Da’keria Fleming, two each by Kenady Cross and Taliah Gadson and one by Ameri Gadson.
Fleming and Cross scored 15 points, Ameri Gadson had 10 and Taliah Gadson eight.
Cross and Ameri Gadson have provided most of the scoring this season, so Brown was happy to see others contribute at the offensive end. “That makes it more difficult to guard us.”
The victory continued McAdams strong play the second half of the season. Playing mostly teams from larger classifications, the Lady Bulldogs were 2-14 January 10, but have won eight of their last 11.
McAdams was runnerup in the 6-1A tournament after entering as the fourth seed. The Lady Bulldogs upset top seed Sebastopol 55-27 in the semifinals before a 57-42 loss to Noxapater in the championship game.
McAdams trailed Sebastopol 11-4 after one quarter, but took command by outscoring the Lady
Bobcats 21-5 in the second period. Ameri Gadson scored 23, including 13 in the second quarter when she connected on three 3-pointers. Cross scored 19 points. Cyrish Magulang had 19 for Sebastopol.
Brown attributed the victory to her team’s defense.
Fouls were the problem against Noxapater. In the first half, the Lady Bulldogs were whistled 18 times, compared to only six called against Noxapater, and four players fouled out.
Gadson and Cross both scored 15 points. Cambree Moore had 17 points for Noxapater.
Bay Springs won the 7-1A tournament and began the playoffs with a 61-19 victory over West Tallahatchie. McAdams and Bay Springs have played one common opponent, Leake Central, which defeated McAdams 65-49 and lost to Bay Springs by the identical score.
