Quitman High School beat Hathaway 37-34 on Monday to advance to the LHSAA Class B quarterfinals. With the second round victory, the #4 seed Lady Wolverines who qualified as the undefeated district 1B  champion, improved to 21-9 on the season while Hathaway, out of District 6B, sees their season conclude with a 17-18 record.

NEW HEIGHTS! Since Kyle Leach, who has been a head basketball coach for 25 years now including for 21 years at QHS, began his second tenure as the head coach the Lady Wolverines in 2018 his squads have exhibited a continued level of success. Four times (2019, 20, 21, 24) Quitman has won the District 1B crown while coming in second place (2018, 22, 23) the other three seasons. Each year QHS has qualified for the LHSAA playoff but after winning a first round game in all but the 2023 season, the Lady Wolverines have bowed out in the regional round. By breaking through what had been an invisible barrier before Monday, the 2024-25 edition of Lady Wolverines have now made the LHSAA Quarterfinals for only the fifth time in school history. joining the 2000 and 2011 teams and now have a chance to share reaching the state semi-finals with the 2001 squad and making an appearance in the state finals, done only by the 1975 Lady Wolverines.

“I am so proud for our girls and coaching staff,” said an overjoyed Leach following the victory.” Reaching the quarterfinals was one of our team goals this year and the girls worked really hard this year to achieve that!”

SLOW START!  At the beginning of the game it looked like this years playoff run was going to be like so many in the past, where a team from southwest LA would eliminate Quitman in the second round as Hathaway jumped out to a 16-6 lead. 

“Hathaway came out on fire and their best shooter hit three 3’s right off the bat,” recalled Leach. “They constantly beat our press and got lots of open looks on the break forcing us to quickly make some defensive adjustments. 

LOCKING DOWN! Leach’s adjustments to the defensive scheme made an immediate impact. By rotating Taylor Borland, Kinsley Ponder, Emma Walker, and Hallie Kate Pullig on Hathaway’s top two scorers the Lady Wolverines started forcing turnovers, including making 8 steals in the second quarter alone that allowed Quitman to rally from a 16-8 first quarter deficit to trail only by 19-18 at the half. 

“Our defense from the 2nd quarter on was outstanding,” reflected Leach. “it was a total team effort as everyone really stepped up and did a good job of shutting them down.

TAKING CONTROL! Quitman’s came out of the break still applying the swarming defensive scheme that continued to give Hathaway fits and forced 8 more turnovers, including one stretch of five possessions in a row. Meanwhile the Lady Wolverines started to connect down low with Cali Deal making six of her team high 18 points and Hallie Kate Pullig adding another basket. With the addition of a pair of free throws by Anna Leach, the Lady Wolverines headed into the fourth quarter with a 28-23 lead that held up in the fourth after both teams made four baskets each. 

“Offensively, we struggled to score throughout the night, but give credit to Hathaway for having a good defensive strategy,” said Leach when asked about the low scoring total. ” I know the final score was low and it was an ugly offensive game, but that’s how playoff basketball can be at times! An ugly win is better than a pretty loss!”

LOOKING AHEAD! Quitman will now host #5 Anacoco at 6:00 pm on Thursday, February 27th. The Indians, who are the District 4B champions and bring an overall record of 22-11 into the contest, presents a strong obstacle in Quitman’s attempt to reach the “Marsh Madness” state tournament that will be held in Hammond, LA, March 3-8 . Included in the victory total are wins over Class B’s top ranked team Fairview, Florien, Negreet and Pitkin. Regardless of the challenge ahead, Leach is optimistic about the Lady Wolverines chances. 

“For us to be in this position is a real testament to the team. We have come a long way since the beginning of the season but by them working hard and working together in practice they have earned this opportunity to compete for a chance to go to state,” said Leach who continued to praise his team. “They have been a joy to coach! I really look forward to practice every day and watching them push each other to be better! Hopefully we can keep it going because I’m not ready for this season to end yet!