GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL: Lady Panthers Rally in Overtime
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Rallying from an eight-point third quarter deficit, Pinckneyville Community High School's Girls Basketball team claimed one of its biggest victories of the season Thursday night.
The Lady Panthers, 15-7, defeated River-to-River Conference rival Sparta 61-56 in overtime as Emily Miller poured in 22 points.
PCHS improved to 4-3 within Mississippi Division play of the SIRR and its win enabled Nashville to again clinch the league crown.
Nashville's 66-point win over Thursday-coupled with Sparta's loss-eliminated the Lady Bulldogs from title contention.
"It was good to see us fight through some adversity tonight," PCHS coach Alan Engelhardt said.
"We made some plays down the stretch to force the overtime and then fell behind by four points in overtime before scoring the final nine points."
Maddy Keith had the final four points of regulation play as the Lady Panthers forced OT.
In the extra session, Miller's long three-pointer with 22 seconds left pushed the Lady Panthers ahead. Miller then clinched the win with two foul shots at the one second mark.
"This was an excellent team win and we did a great job of pressuring the ball," Engelhardt said.
Mandi Kellerman complimented Miller nicely with a double-double, scoring 12 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. She also had five steals.
Keith and Becky Vanderjack each had eight points with Dani Jenkel scoring seven.
Saturday at the Vandalia Shootout, Pinckneyville meets the host Lady Vandals team at 3:30.
Vandalia (21-1) was ranked fourth in this week's Class 2A state poll.
NASHVILLE 82, Du QUOIN 66
In Washington County Thursday, the Lady Indians (1-18, 0-7) were no match for Nashville.
The host team led 25-2 after one quarter and limited Du Quoin to just six field goals.
Stefanie Gates and Megi Jones each had four points for the Lady Indians. Jessica Hirsch and Michaela Brown both scored three.
The only other Du Quoin points came on a basket by Micah Ward.
Nashville is 19-4 and 7-0 in the SIRR. The Lady Indians have now lost 18 straight games.
Monday night, Du Quoin hosts Anna-Jonesboro.
Senior Night activities-honoring players Ward, Cadey Hess and Cashmeire Bledsoe-will be held prior to the varsity game.
S-V/W 64, ELVERADO 21
Elverado also braved the elements Thursday, falling in Black Diamond Conference play at Sesser-Valier/Waltonville.
The Lady Falcons, 2-18, are 0-6 in the BDC West.
Sami Hicks accounted for half of the Lady Falcons output, tossing in eight points. Chelsea Cochran added six.
Elverado's next game is scheduled for Monday at home against Carterville.