Marianna Comes up Short in District

By: Shelia Mader

The Marianna High School girls basketball team wrapped up its season with plenty to be proud of, finishing the regular season at 15-7, a strong showing by any measure.

The Lady Bulldogs opened district play against Gadsden County and made an immediate statement, rolling to a 54-25 win over the Jaguars to advance. Marianna set the tone early, jumping out to a 26-4 lead in the first quarter and never letting up.

Dessiah Gee led the way against Gadsden County with 17 points and five rebounds. Ja’Shonna Mathis followed with 14 points and four assists, while Ladeseria Hayes added nine points and four rebounds in the convincing win.

In the next round, Marianna faced a tough challenge in Florida State University High School, a veteran squad featuring three seniors and three juniors. The Lady Bulldogs battled but ultimately fell 54-37. Harmoni Gibson paced Marianna with 11 points, and Ja’Shonna Mathis added 10.

The season also marked the final games for seniors Jeresa Lewis and Serenity Harvey, who will be missed for their contributions to the program. Despite their departures, the future looks promising. Marianna returns a strong core of juniors in Ladeseria Hayes, Harmoni Gibson, Na’trenadi Davis, Ja’Shonda Mathis, and Ja’Shonna Mathis.

With experience gained and a solid group coming back, the outlook for Marianna girls basketball remains bright heading into next season.