Kati Atkins’ game-winning shot was barely through the net when the legend surrounding it started to grow.

&#8220One of the referees said her eyes were closed,” Porters Chapel coach E.J. Creel said to a nearby fan.

Whether they were or not, the memory of Atkins’ shot will live for a while. The 3-pointer with 5 seconds to play gave PCA a 42-41 win over Veritas in the first round of the District 4-A tournament on Tuesday, and sent the Lady Eagles into next week’s North State tournament.

PCA will face Rebul in the second round of the district tournament on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at PCA. The top four teams advance to the North State tournament, to be played next week at Sharkey-Issaquena Academy in Rolling Fork.

Bailey Williams led PCA (8-14) against Veritas, with 11 points and five steals. Lauren Johnson added 12 points, while McKay Simrall scored a game-high 17 points for Veritas.

&#8220I had never done it before, and I was just praying to God that it would go in,” Atkins said of the game-winner. &#8220It was a miracle.”

PCA was crawling uphill for most of Tuesday’s game. A jumper by Bailey Williams midway through the third quarter gave the Lady Eagles their first lead since the early going, at 20-19, but Veritas regained the lead by the end of the period.

Williams and Laura Hall hit back-to-back 3-pointers at the 4:50 mark of the fourth quarter, but again Veritas rebounded to go back in front. The teams traded baskets until the final moments, when PCA trailed 41-39 and got the ball back with about 20 seconds to play.

With time running down, the ball found its way into Atkins’ hands. She dribbled once, shot, and found nothing but net to put the Lady Eagles ahead 42-41.

Veritas had one last chance with 4.3 seconds left, but Amy Kalberkamp lost the ball at midcourt before she could get a shot off.

(B) PCA 73, Rebul 41.

All 11 Porters Chapel players scored at least two points, and the Eagles dispatched Rebul from the District 4-A tournament with an easy win.

Hayden Hales led PCA (15-7) with 11 points, while Cole Smith and Matt Cranfield added 10 apiece. William Walker led Rebul (2-20) with 11 points and Tyler Leach scored 10.

(B) SIA 39, Mt. Salus 38.

Seth Brown scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Sharkey-Issaquena past Mt. Salus. SIA advanced to face CM&I at 5:15 p.m. Friday.

(G) Rebul 60, CM&I 28.

Caroline Blocker finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Kim Coley had 16 points and eight rebounds, and Rebul crushed CM&I in the first round.