Tulane signee lifts Loyola Prep over Lake Providence|[2/24/06]

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 24, 2006

LAKE PROVIDENCE – Tulane University signee Chassity Brown used her speed and outside game to lead Loyola College Prep over the bigger Lake Providence Lady Panthers and into the Louisiana Sweet 16 Tournament next week at Hammond.

Brown scored a game-high 28 points in pacing the Lady Flyers (36-5) to the 68-50 Class 2A girls quarterfinal playoff win before a standing room only crowd at Lake Providence.

&#8220We knew this is a very difficult place to play. We had to get ahead and keep it that way,” Brown said.

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Brown did her part, scoring 11 points in a decisive second quarter that saw the Shreveport-based Lady Flyers outscore Lake Providence 23-6.

Two 3-pointers by Brown helped spark a 15-0 run to close the first half, giving LCP a 36-18 halftime lead.

&#8220We were able to string together some big shots and extend the lead,” added LCP coach Rob Horneman. &#8220We needed to, because this is one of the toughest places to play at in the state.”

Lake Providence (22-5) which had used a tight defense to limit its first two opening opponents to 30 points and under for the game, was hurt by three, first quarter fouls by its star player in 6-foot-1 center Freda Allen.

&#8220I had to really adjust, because blocking shots is a big part of my game,” Allen said. &#8220I think the officials were out to get me. I couldn’t even look at going for a block.”

When she was out there, Allen was able to keep the game close. It was tied twice with the last coming at 10-10. A three-point play by LCP’s Nesi Vallo gave the Lady Flyers a 13-12 lead after one quarter.

Allen scored her only basket of the first half to make it 21-18 with five minutes, 30 seconds left in the second quarter. The Lady Panthers did not score again for the remainder of the period.

During this stretch, LPHS turned the ball over nine times, missed eight shots and also missed three free throws.

Lake Providence fell behind by double digits in the second half and got the deficit to as little as 12 in the fourth quarter before LCP extended the advantage with clutch free throw shooting down the stretch.

Episcopal 68, Madison 42.

Danielle Jones scored 31 points to lead Episcopal (30-7) to the 2A quarterfinals win and a berth in the Sweet 16.

Edeena Cooper scored 15 and Aerica Hicks added 14 for Madison Parish (22-9).

(B) HAHS 71, Scott Central 68.

Sophomore JaCorey Wright hit the game-winning shot from about 35 feet out to break a 68-68 tie and lift the Bulldogs to a triple-overtime win over Scott Central.