Meridian’s Amya Moffite splits a pair of defenders as she cuts through the lane to the basket Monday night.

On a night full of lead changes and momentum swings, the Lady Wildcats of Meridian High could have decided to call it quits after being held scoreless in the third quarter. 

Instead, they put on one of the most impressive fourth quarters you will ever see to pull out a 46-33 win against Hancock Monday in the first round of the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs. 

The Lady Wildcats raced out to a fast start in the first quarter, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. Amya Moffite hit an early 3 to help build the Lady Wildcats’ lead. Hancock responded with a run of its own to take a 9-8 lead, then later hit a late 3 late to push the lead up to 14-10 going into the second. 

After a quick Lady Hawk basket stretched the lead to 16-10, MHS took a quick timeout, and an inspired Lady Wildcat defense took over the game, forcing multiple turnovers and finishing the quarter on a 12-0 run. The visitors were held scoreless for the final 7:30 of the half, and Meridian led 22-16 going into the locker room.

The third quarter saw a reversal of fortune for the Lady Cats as they were held scoreless throughout the frame. Hancock played aggressive defense and took advantage of the Lady Wildcats’ missed baskets. The Lady Hawks outscored the Lady Cats 14-0 in the third to take a 30-22 lead into the final quarter. 

The Lady Wildcats showed they had quite a bit of fight left in them by starting the fourth quarter on a 16-2 run. Led by a Kerriana Toole 3 and a layup, the Lady Wildcats cut the score to 32-29. They later retook the lead on a Jabresha Smith 3 with five minutes left. Meridian continued the miraculous comeback by building the lead to six courtesy of a Boler layup, and the Lady Wildcats never let up to get the 13-point win. 

The Lady Wildcas were led by Bolers’ 11 points. Toole added 8 for the Lady Cats.

Meridian advances to face Pearl in the second round of the playoffs.