John Wallace

Florala proved it deserved it’s No. 1 seed in the Class 1A, Area 3 Girls Basketball Tournament with a 47-28 win against the visiting McKenzie Lady Tigers last night.

Florala opened up a 19-7 lead in the first quarter and held a 25-13 advantage against the Lady Tigers at the half. In fact, the Florala team outscored McKenzie’s LaSha Pitts 25-13 in the first half.

Pitts had all 13 of McKenzie’s first half points. Pitts, who is one of the leading scorers for McKenzie on the season, is known for her post play.

Pitts did more than just post up in the paint and work the backboard against Florala. She hit from inside and outside in teh first half.

In the second half, both teams struggled to get any offense cranked up.

Pitts continued to add to her total with four more points as the two squads began to find their offense. Akeia Owens hit a 3-pointer about midway through the third quarter to give McKenzie 20 points.

It would be her only three points of the game and not enough as Florala held a 31-20 going into the fourth.

Laronica Peterson and Pitts scored four points each in the fourth quarter for McKenzie, but Florala was on cruise control. The Lady Wildcats easily outscored McKenzie 16-8 to not only maintain the lead but add to it.

When the final horn sounded, Florala was sitting pretty with a 16-8 win. The win advanced the Lady Wildcats to the area championshi

game set for 7 p.m., Saturday at Florala High School.

Latoya Wilson powered the Lady Wildcats in the win with 20 points. Liz Ferman added 10. Brittany carson hit for 9. Also scoring for Florala were Deandria Smith, Darlene Aguigui and Cynthia campbell.