HOLLANDALE — Simmons High School girls basketball coach Bernita Alexander knows that her team has a huge task in front of them Thursday when they face the 24-0 West Lowndes Panthers in the MHSAA Class 1A state quarterfinals.
But, Coach Alexander and her Devilettes (24-4) still believe they are capable of winning the game and making it back to Jackson for the second straight year.
Thursday’s quarterfinal game will take place at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.
“We are concerned because when you look at their record and see they are undefeated it may be easy to get intimidated,” Coach Alexander said. “But, we have kids who have the experience of winning and who know what it takes to come away with the victory.”
The Devilettes won another tough battle last Friday night when they went on the road and defeated Leake County 59-57 in overtime.
Sophomore guard Taylor Lucas-Howard scored 33 points in the Devilette victory. Howard has been continued to improve all season both in leadership and in her scoring. She leads the Devilettes this season in scoring at 16 points per game.
Simmons outscored Leake County 8-6 in the overtime. Simmons’ Vereisha Robinson helped the Devilettes seal the victory by making a number of clutch free throws in the overtime period.
Simmons’ Na’riah Robinson also grabbed a key rebound in the game’s closing moments. Robinson is Simmons’ second leading scorer this season (11 points per game) and leads the team in rebounds (seven per game).
Junior Nicole Maybell and sophomore Carl’Kaisha Lucas have also helped Simmons achieve many victories this season with their fine play.
