The Lady Giants are headed back to the quarterfinals for the second straight year after a hard-fought regional round victory in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs.
In an intense matchup, Jena High School defeated Church Point 55-50 to secure their spot in the Elite 8. The Lady Giants jumped out to an early 14-11 lead, maintained a 24-21 advantage at halftime, and answered every late-game push to seal the win.
Team performance played a key role in the victory. Jena finished the night with 17 offensive rebounds, leading to 12 second-chance points. Defensively, the Lady Giants recorded 32 deflections and five blocks, showcasing their intensity on both ends of the court.
Several players delivered standout performances. Triniti Williams led the scoring effort with 14 points, going 6-of-9 from the free-throw line. Lily Jane LaCroix added 12 points, including two three-pointers, while Ahja Dorsey contributed nine points with two shots from beyond the arc. Ameera Jones made a major impact with a team-high +20 performance, and Heidi Crawford controlled the boards with 11 rebounds. A’Kiya Phillips added four key offensive rebounds.
The atmosphere was electric, with strong community support from Jena fans making their presence felt throughout the game. Players and coaches credited the crowd’s energy as a meaningful factor in the victory.
The Lady Giants will now face #3 Westlake in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are set at $6 for students and $10 for adults.
With momentum on their side and the community behind them, the Lady Giants look to continue their playoff run and add another chapter to an already impressive season.