TANNER, Ala. — A smothering defensive effort was the difference for the Pearl River women's basketball team Thursday night at Calhoun as the Wildcats defeated the Warhawks 59-32. Calhoun's 32 points were its fewest scored in a game since Feb. 15, 2023.

"Our press speeds people up, regardless of whether we get the steal or not," head coach Shanae Govan-Williams said. "It forces teams into quick shots that aren't in rhythm. In the second half, we limited them to one shot, boxed out and made them one-and-done. And when we slowed down and executed, the shots started to fall."

The game opened as a defensive grind for both Pearl River (6-1 overall) and Calhoun (5-5). The Warhawks scored first, and the Wildcats didn't even the game until just under the six-minute mark at 2-2. Pearl River finally found its footing shortly after. Perfect trips to the free-throw line by Jae'la Smith (Vicksburg; Porter's Chapel) and Alana Smith (Southaven) sandwiched a driving layup by Madison Hughes (Olive Branch; Center Hill) for an 8-4 lead.

Late in the first quarter, Jahanna Wilson (Jackson; Callaway) took over. The freshman guard slipped past a pair of defenders in the lane and lofted in a soft teardrop. A few possessions later, she grabbed a loose ball near midcourt and raced in for a layup to make it 16-9. The basket capped the scoring in the opening period.

The teams traded baskets in the second quarter, each scoring eight points. Pearl River built a 20-11 lead when Mattison Bell (Philadelphia; Choctaw Central) used a euro step to get into the paint before delivering a precise pass to Toniah Watts (Terry) for a bucket. Moments later, 6-foot-3 freshman post player Chauncey Dixon (Leroy, Ala.; McIntosh), recently cleared from injury, powered her way into the paint for an off-balance layup to make it 24-15. A late Calhoun basket sent the teams to halftime with Pearl River ahead 24-17.

The Wildcats opened the third quarter with a connection between their only returners from last season. Jae'la Smith found Bell wide open in the corner for a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer, stretching the lead to 27-17. Hughes knocked down a 3-pointer later in the quarter to push the margin to 34-22. Smith closed the period with a layup off an inbound play and a pair of free throws for a 39-22 advantage.

Bell stayed hot from long range to begin the fourth, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a 10-0 run and extend the lead to 49-22. Pearl River controlled the pace the rest of the way, outscoring Calhoun 20-10 in the final quarter to seal the 59-32 win.

LEADING THE WAY
Ten Wildcats scored in the victory, led by Jae'la Smith's 10 points. Bell followed with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Wilson added eight points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Hughes finished with eight points and five rebounds.

"I challenged Jahanna today to get us going," Govan-Williams said. "I don't think many guards can guard her with her ability to stretch the floor and be a three-level scorer. Once she started doing that, it made us click on all cylinders."

Atesa Johnson (Lewisville, Ark.; Lafayette) had five points, three assists and two rebounds off the bench to give the Wildcats a spark.

"She gave us a spark and played some quality minutes," Govan-Williams said of Johnson. "Her defense, rebounding and getting to the basket just got us going."

NEXT UP
The Wildcats hit the road Monday to take on perennial powerhouse Shelton State. Tipoff in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is set for 5:30 p.m.

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