by Malcolm Butler
Sometimes the other team is just better.
That was the case Wednesday afternoon as No. 1 seed and two-time defending state champion Southern Lab used its depth, size, athleticism, and speed to race past No. 4 seed Cedar Creek 69-29 at the University Center in the Select School Division IV semifinals.
One year after the Lady Cougars took the Kittens down to the wire in a 10-point loss in the state title game in 2025, Southern Lab (27-5) wasted little time in showing why it’s once again the favorite to win its third state title in the last four years.
The final score was no slight on Cedar Creek’s effort nor will it taint another stellar year for head coach Katie Hall’s bunch, which finished the season 23-8 and registered back-to-back trips to Marsh Madnesses. The Lady Cougars also made their 10th straight state quarterfinal appearance.
“I am proud of where we are, and I want this to continue to be the standard,” said Hall. “We want this to be an expectation.”
Facing relentless man-to-man full-court pressure from the opening tip-off, Cedar Creek found a way to stay within arm’s reach in the first quarter. After Southern Lab jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game, the Lady Cougars battled.
Senior Avery Ryan put Creek on the board with a layup at the 4 minute mark and then added another bucket 90 seconds later. Mary Grace Hawkins scored through contact for an opportunity at an AND1 as Creek trailed 18-6 at the end of one.
However, the story of the first quarter — and ultimately the game — was eight turnovers leading to 11 points by Southern Lab. For the game, Creek committed 29 turnovers leading directly to 32 Southern Lab points.
“We knew coming in it would be very tough,” said Hall. “We knew they would be aggressive. We tried to stay positive. We knew the turnovers were going to be there, but just how would we respond to them. I give a lot of credit to Southern Lab and how they play their game.”
Cedar Creek opened the second quarter strong defensively, holding the Kittens without a point for more than three minutes. However, Creek managed just an Alivia Lee bucket during the stretch to shave only two points off the deficit.
That’s when Southern Lab guard Kori Wesley found her stroke from the perimeter.
Wesley put on a three-point shooting display for the Kittens, hitting 5-of-8 en route to a game-high 17 points. She hit three of the trifectas over the final five minutes of the second quarter as the Kittens extended the lead out to 34-11 at the half. As a team, Southern Lab hit seven three-pointers in the game.
“That was one of the poisons we were picking,” said Hall in reference to trying to limit the Kittens in the paint. “We were hoping their (perimeter) shots wouldn’t fall. I felt like early in the game they weren’t going down, but we just couldn’t capitalize. We couldn’t make buckets.
“I think we got frustrated with the physicality of the game. It got very physical. And then they starting hitting (three-pointers).”
Southern Lab didn’t relax coming out of the half as the Kittens full-court pressure continued, outscoring Cedar Creek 24-13 in the frame. The Lady Cougars did find some offense, hitting 6-of-8 from the free throw line and hitting three field goals, including a step-back three-pointer by senior guard Caroline James.
Despite maintaining a more than 35 point lead in the fourth quarter, Southern Lab continued its full-court pressure and didn’t empty its bench until the final two minutes of play.
Hall said despite coming up short of its goal of winning a state title game, she was proud of her team’s fight during the season.
“I am very proud of these girls because they set the tone,” said Hall. “We are trying to build something. I hope all the little girls continue to look up to (our players). … It’s something we are going to continue to grow and build upon.”
Ryan led Creek with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists, while Hawkins added seven points.
In addition to Wesley’s 17 points, Jamya Cain added 15 points and seven rebounds and Asia Patin scored 13 points and recorded six steals.
Southern Lab will advance to face No. 2 seed JS Clark in the title game, a 42-23 winner of No. 3 seed Ouachita Christian.
