Lady Tigers Move to Regional Finals After Dominant Win Over Liberty County
By: Shelia Mader
The Malone Lady Tigers have battled through adversity all season, and now they are exactly where they set out to be.
After finishing the regular season at 10-10 and absorbing a tough first-round playoff loss to Blountstown, Malaone refused to let its season slip away. Instead, the Lady Tigers regrouped, refocused, and responded in a big way.
That response came Friday night when Malone hosted Liberty County in regional semifinal action. From the opening tip, the Lady Tigers made it clear they were not ready for their season to end.
Malone stormed out to a 16-4 lead in the first quarter, with six different players contributing to the scoring effort. The balanced attack set the tone early. In the second quarter, the Lady Tigers continued to apply pressure, outscoring the Bulldogs 13-6 to carry a commanding 29-10 lead into halftime.
If there was any concern about a second-half letdown, Malone quickly erased it.
The Lady Tigers came out of the locker room with even more intensity, pouring in 20 third-quarter points while holding Liberty County to just four. By the end of the third, Malone had built a 49-14 advantage. They closed the game with another eight points and a defensive stand that shut out the Bulldogs in the final quarter.
Belicia Faust led the way with 21 points, setting the pace offensively. Ja’nasia Bryant added 11 points in double figures. Indya Barnes contributed nine points along with five rebounds and three assists, while Yalaysha Barnes chipped in eight points.
This is a team that has experienced highs and lows throughout the season. They have endured losses, celebrated wins, and leaned on one another through it all. Each setback only strengthened their resolve.
Now, the Lady Tigers are headed to the regional finals. The challenge ahead will be significant, but this group has already proven it thrives when the stakes are high. They have shown up day after day for practice and games, and they are not finished yet.
