Two of Mississippi’s premier basketball programs squaring off Friday nightmare

What do you get when you mix two of Mississippi’s most basketball-crazy programs, two great coaches and some of the most talented girls basketball players in Mississippi together?

That’s easy. You get a sure to be exciting game between back to back defending state champion Pine Grove and back to back to back champion Ingomar.

Buckle up. It’s going to be quite a ride.

Since the Lady Panther of Pine Grove and Lady Falcons of Ingomar met last season in an action packed 52-40 Ingomar win, the two teams have went a combined 73-3 on the court. That’s 34 wins and 1 loss for Coach Katie Bates’ Lady Panthers and 39 wins with 2 losses for Coach Trent Adair’s Lady Falcons.

Not bad, as far as records go.

The Lady Panthers (6-0) are led in scoring by a pair of exciting playmakers in senior Taylor Fletcher and junior Loren Elliott. Scoring is nothing new for Elliott: she has led the Lady Panthers in scoring since she was an 8th grader.

The Lady Falcons (9-1) have their own dynamic duo in seniors Lauren Thompson and Gara Beth Self. This pair have been key cogs in the Ingomar dynasty since they were 8th graders.

Each squad has tremedous players doing little things that win championships. Pine Grove’s Jessi Mauney blocks out as well as anyone, cleans the glass and plays gritty every single night. Ingomar must lead the state in diving for loose balls and taking charges.

Do you love good basketball? Are you a fan of excitement, a full gym and the chance to see competitors giving their all for victory?

Show up to Pine Grove Friday night.