BY GRAHAM DUNN
PHOTOS BY TIM GAYLE
SPORTS – SPECIAL TO THE EAN
TOP PHOTO: ELLA JANE CONNELL MAKES HER MOVE.
As expected, the Prattville Christian Academy Lady Panthers earned a relatively easy victory over Pike County High School, 65-40, advancing in the Class 3A Southeast semifinals on Thursday.
Even in a 25-point victory, the score wasn’t indicative of how dominant they were, picking up their 33rd win of the season. The Panthers led by as many as 29 points in the third period and never trailed in the game.
But, there seemed to be something missing, particularly early when PCA struggled at times with sloppy play and poor shooting.
“I think it’s more of a mental thing right now,” stated coach Jason Roberson. “We have to get back believing that we are the best team on the court and win our individual battles, trust our teammates to do that. Once we do that, I think we will be fine.”
It got better, as Ella Jane Connell dominated inside and out, scoring 18 points and dishing out six assists. CoCo Thomas added 14 points and 12 rebounds and Avery Rogers finished with 13 points that included three made 3-pointers.
“(Roberson) talked to us a lot about this. We had a different level of toughness last year. We are still trying to figure out,” Connell said. “We were very confident but we didn’t know if we would play that way. We expect to win every night and play our best game. But we can use that for the next game. We want to keep that mindset.”
Fatigue could have been a factor on Thursday but Roberson wasn’t ready to use that as an excuse.
“I told them I don’t think we played our best basketball today but in the end in the playoffs, you just want to win,” he said. “So, whether you win by one or 20 it’s still about advancing. It doesn’t mean we can’t play our best basketball on Tuesday (in the regional final). We just have to get back to work.”
“It was a motivating factor to go undefeated,” Connell said. “It’s possible we were coasting a little bit. But hopefully that will get us to work a little harder.”
The win set up another meeting with Trinity on Tuesday. PCA’s only loss of the season was suffered in the previous game in the area tournament final.
“I don’t know if that (loss) hurt our confidence but we have to get that hunger back…. that fire back,” Roberson said. “If we get that back, we’ll be fine.
“And I don’t know if they were looking ahead to that. We are trying to focus on the team in front of us. But we did know (Trinity) would be waiting for us. I’m sure our girls are excited to play them again and Trinity probably is confident in playing us. Why wouldn’t they be? They beat us last time.”
Tip off on Tuesday is 3 p.m. at Garrett Coliseum. The winner will advance to the Class 3A state semifinals in Birmingham.
