By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

ALBANY — Just when the Jackson Ironladies tried to take over, Allison Mitchell took charge.

Mitchell scored 17 of her 31 points in the fourth quarter as the South Point Lady Pointers rallied to beat Jackson 52-46 on Thursday to win the Division II sectional title.

South Point trailed 36-29 at the end of the third quarter, but Mitchell took over offensively and the Lady Pointers outscored Jackson 23-10 in the fourth quarter.

“We just played better defense and Allison got out on a few runs,” said Lady Pointers’ coach Dave Adams.

“They pressure us all the time and our guards handled it well. We kept them off the boards and handled their pressure and that was the key to the game.”

Mitchell’s steal and layup put the Lady Pointers up 48-46. A foul put South Point at the foul line and they missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Mitchell got the putback for a 50-46 lead with 13 seconds to go.

Jackson missed two shots on their next possession and Eryn Khounlavong had a run-out layup to set the final score.

The game was tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter and Jackson opened up an 18-11 lead in the second quarter as Heather Chapman and Madison Rideout scored 4 points each.

But Mitchell scored 8 points in the second quarter and it was 20-20 at the half.

Kari Jenkins scored 6 points as Jackson outscored South Point 16-9 in the third quarter. Aundrea Bradburn hit a pair of 3-pointers to keep the Lady Pointers close and setup the fourth quarter comeback.

Chapman and Jenkins scored 11 points each for Jackson (18-3).

Adams said another difference in the outcome was the defensive effort of Brett Justice.

“Justice only had four points but she held (Lydia) Poe scoreless. That was big for us defensively,” said Adams.

South Point will play Washington Court House at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Southeastern High School in the district semifinals.

South Point 7 13 9 23 = 52

Jackson 7 13 16 10 = 46

SOUTH POINT (16-5): Abbey Winkler 0 0 0-0 0, Allison Mitchell 11 0 9-14 31, Erin Dillow 1 0 0-0 2, Eryn Khounlavong 1 1 2-3 7, Brett Justice 1 0 2-2 4, Brianna Whaley 0 0 0-0 0, Lakin Adams 0 0 2-2 2, Aundrea Bradburn 0 2 0-0 6. Totals: 14 3 15-21 52. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

JACKSON (18-3): Heather Chapman 4 0 3-5 11, Whitney Wills 1 1 2-2 7, Sarah Martin 1 0 0-0 2, Madison Rideout 2 1 2-2 9, Kerrigan Hoover 0 1 0-0 3, Kari Jenkins 4 0 3-4 11, Meredith Harless 0 1 0-0 2, Lydia Poe 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 4 10-13 46. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.