Someone forgot to tell Porters Chapel Academy’s Annie Beaugh that she was only a freshman playing in the biggest game of her young high school career.

The freshman scored a game-high 27 points and hit six 3-pointers to lead the Lady Eagles (32-5) to a 58-47 win over Claiborne in the opening round of the South State tournament.

“Annie shot the ball remarkably all night long. It was encouraging to see her teammates recognize that she had the hot hand, and they passed up several open shots themselves just to continue getting her the ball,” PCA coach Kevin Griffin said. “That is a mark of an unselfish team.”

The Lady Eagles will meet Huntington Academy on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and must win to advance to the Academy-A state tournament. Only the top four teams from the North, Central and South advance to state.

A win Wednesday could also set up a possible rematch with District 5-A foe Deer Creek Academy, which plays Wilkinson County Christian today at 4 p.m.

“We are very aware that a loss Wednesday would end our season, and we know that it is hard to beat a team three times in one year,” Griffin said. “We will take every step in today’s practice to make sure that we are prepared very well for the rematch with Huntington.”

Behind the hot-shooting Beaugh, who scored 22 of her 27 in the first half, the Lady Eagles raced to a 37-22 halftime lead. PCA shot 11-for-19 in the first half and finished the half on a 17-0 run. Beaugh scored 13 in a three-minute span.

PCA switched defenses, pressing frequently, to keep Claiborne off balance, Griffin said.

“That is the most that we have pressed any team,” Griffin said. “We pressured the ball for 32 minutes tonight, and the girls did a good job of causing turnovers or making Claiborne take quick shots on their offensive end.”

Brady Willis scored 13 for the Lady Eagles.