Florala’s girls varsity basketball team battled back from a 21-point deficit to take a one-point lead over J.F. Shields, but the Lady Panthers made free throws late in the fourth to win 49-44 in the Class 1A sub regional tournament Thursday night.

“We went ahead, but we just couldn’t quite do it,” FHS girls coach Ronnie Driver said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our girls for the way they played.

They just kept fighting, and had a chance to win it, but we made turnovers that cost us,” he said. “Our girls just really played hard, and they showed a lot of heart.”

Paige Irwin led Florala with 15 points. Mariah Thompson had 14 points. Alicia Morgan had 10 points. Justin Clissold and Hillary Thames had two points each.

Florala ended the season with a 15-7 record.