First playoff appearance since 2012
SULPHUR BLUFF — The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears hosted Avinger Monday night in a play-in game to decide the second place team in Class 1A District-24. The teams had split in their two district matchups, with Sulphur Bluff beating Avinger, 46-20, on Jan. 7 and Avinger defeating Sulphur Bluff, 46-44, on Jan. 24.
The game opened with a competitive first quarter in which neither team wasable to gain much of an advantage over the other. Entering the second quarter with the game tied, 13-13, the Lady Bears turned on their offense, posting 15 points in the frame. They were able to hold Avinger to just 10 points. Sulphur Bluff had a 28-23 lead at the half.
With 16 minutes remaining to decide their playoff fate, Sulphur Bluff opened the third quarter strong, holding Avinger to just 6 points in the quarter. They were also able to score 10 of their own, pushing their lead to 38-29 entering the fourth quarter.
The Lady Bears finished the game with their highest scoring quarter of the night, posting 16 points in the frame. This gave them a nice cushion, and they won the game, 54-38.
Senior Ann Dorner led the way for Sulphur Bluff finishing with 14 points, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out three assists. Tori Raine finished with a double-double, posting 10 points and 10 assists. Other scorers for Sulphur Bluff were Bailey Neal, who had 9 points and five rebounds; Angel Brown, 7; Jada Wade, 6; Alley Collet, 4; and Skylar Stanley had 4 points and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds.
“The Lady Bears played solid defense and worked together as a team,” Coach Zandra Peyton said. “It was a great game played by both teams.”
Information regarding Sulphur Bluff ’s first playoff game will be published in future editions of the News-Telegram.