An exhilarating one-point victory in the first round over Jackson Parish rival Weston catapulted Quitman Junior High School to victories over Castor and Saline and the season-opening Dodson Junior High Tournament title. 

Quitman moved their early season record to 3-0 by besting Weston 29-28 in the first round and then followed that up with a 36-23 victory over Castor and beating Saline 43-30 in the championship game. 

“I think this tournament proved that the girls’ teams in our area are all really good and well coached,” said Quitman Junior High head coach Kyle Leach. “I am proud of our girls for playing tough, smart, and keeping their cool in some tense situations. They are a fun group to coach.” 

Quitman 29 Weston 28 (first round) – Easily the most thrilling game of the tournament saw Quitman take a 10-2 second quarter advantage that led to a 17-10 halftime lead that held up despite a determined late Weston rally. Both teams scored 10 points in the third period before Weston limited QJH to just two fourth-quarter points that put the Lady Wolves in position to steal the victory after creating a turnover with three seconds left and trailing by just one point. The Lady Wolverines persevered by not allowing Weston a shot as the final buzzer sounded. Kynleigh Leach and Ella Simonelli scored 9 and 8 points each to pace the QJH scoring attack. Audrina Martin finished with five points, Elliot Savage had four, and Demie McCurdy hit one of five three pointers that QJH made in the game. Rachel Bandy scored 11 of her game-high 13 points in the second half to fuel the WJH rally, with Kate Keiffer chipping in with 11 and Don’Nia Spence adding four. 

Quitman 36 Castor 23 (second round) – Again, Quitman reversed an early deficit with a strong second quarter and then put the game away by outscoring Castor 21-10 in the second half.  It was a sterling defensive effort that led to the victory as Quitman forced 27 Castor turnovers to offset a 43% -31 % field goal percentage advantage by the Lady Gators.  Audrina Martin led QJH with 10 points, followed by Ella Simonelli chipping in with nine. Bella Caskey added 8 points and pulled down a team high seven rebounds as Kynleigh Leach scored six points, Amelia Staggs hit a basket and Demie McCurdy made a free throw to round out the scoring for Quitman.  

Quitman 43 Saline 30 (Championship game) Audrina Martin and Kynleigh Leach both set new early-season high-point totals by scoring 14 and 12 points apiece to pace the Lady Wolverines to the tournament title.  As a team, Quitman continued to show game-by-game improvement, setting a new scoring standard for the third straight game. Bella Caskey scored 8 points for the second straight game, Ella Simonelli chipped in with seven, and Amelia Staggs tallied two for the Lady Wolverines.