Lady Colonels drop tourney opener

The Cass girls basketball team struggled with its three-point shooting and was outrebounded 45-22 Friday night in a 60-41 loss to visiting Columbia in the first round of the Class AAAAA State Tournament at Cass High School

Cass led 12-11 after one period and 24-21 at halftime, but the second half belonged to the Lady Eagles.

Columbia outscored Cass 13-6 in the third quarter and 16-9 in the fourth to pull away for a 19-point decision.

Deidra Harris led Columbia with a strong inside presence. The 6-2 senior had a huge night rebounding with 15 boards and led all scorers in the game with 23 points.

Chanel Clemmons, Payton Stoddard, and Esmeralda Thomas scored eight points each for Cass.

Columbia (17-7) advances to the second round to play at Region 1AAAAA champion Warner Robins next Wednesday.

The Lady Colonels’ year concludes with a 20-8 mark.