Gentry girls compete in state tourney

Gentry senior Terra Jones attempts to go up for a shot against Batesville Thursday at the state tournament.
Gentry senior Terra Jones attempts to go up for a shot against Batesville Thursday at the state tournament.

— Senior forward Terra Jones was perfect on eight free-throw attempts, including four in the final minute, to help the Lady Pioneers (21-11) hold off the Lady Southerners (20-13) in a first-round game on Thursday, beating Southside Batesville 44-41.

Jones, who led her team with 16 points, hit two free throws with one minute remaining to give the Lady Pioneers the lead for good. She also hit two free throws with 8.0 left to set the final score.

Senior guard Courtney Millsap hit five three-pointers to account for all 15 of her points for the winners, who advanced to play Pulaski Academy in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Haley Mourer scored 11 of her 15 points inthe fourth quarter as Southside attempted to overcome a 30-20 deficit after three quarters. Mourer had a chance to tie the game at 41 with 11.1 seconds left, but her free-throw attempt fell off and Jones grabbed the rebound.

Shani Henley scored all 11 of her points in the second half for Southside.

Gentry was 16 of 17 from the free-throw line, compared to 10 of 17 for Southside.

In Friday’s Class 4A game, Pulaski Academy (22-4) outscored Gentry (22-12) 17-5 in the fourth quarter and took a 52-34victory. The Lady Bruins’ Breanna Harris led all scorers with 22 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, and Maddie Lee added 11. Courtney Millsap led Gentry with 10 points.

Sports, Pages 9 on 03/09/2011