SportsFebruary 27, 2024
Portageville defies all odds, erases 20-point second-half deficit in a sectional stunner
NEELYVILLE, Mo. – Sometimes, the script flips in an instant. For Portageville, its MSHSAA Class 2 Sectional showdown against Neelyville seemed all too familiar. Yet, when all hope appeared lost, a spark of defiance ignited, and the impossible became reality...
Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat
NEELYVILLE, Mo. – Sometimes, the script flips in an instant.
For Portageville, its MSHSAA Class 2 Sectional showdown against Neelyville seemed all too familiar. Yet, when all hope appeared lost, a spark of defiance ignited, and the impossible became reality.
The Lady Bulldogs (23-5) erased a 20-point second-half deficit to stun the Lady Tigers (19-11) in the sectional round of the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament, 50-49, on Monday, Feb. 26.
“I just felt so much pride for these girls,” said Portageville coach Kellye Fowler. “I know how hard they’ve worked for this. This group of five seniors won two games in their freshman year. It’s incredible to see the growth in them and see them accomplish the things we’ve talked about all these years.
“It was all about these kids keeping their composure,” she continued. “They stayed calm, did everything I asked them and handled the pressure. I’m just so proud of them.”
Neelyville's Jade Crosswhite struck first with a 3-pointer in the opening moments, but Portageville quickly answered with a long-range basket from Taryn Irby.
The packed gym buzzed with electric energy, a fitting backdrop for this high-stakes playoff battle.
However, the intensity of the atmosphere seemed to rattle the Lady Bulldogs early on.
Portageville grabbed eight offensive rebounds in the opening frame but couldn't convert them into points as turnovers plagued the possessions and fueled Neelyville's growing momentum.
By the end of the first quarter, the Lady Tigers held a 14-6 lead.
“We were working hard, doing what we wanted but we just weren’t getting the shots to fall,” Fowler said. “We were in front of their student section in the first half and they were in our girls’ heads a little bit. It was so loud and it sped them up some and we weren’t taking our time.”
Portageville found better footing in the second quarter, making adjustments to counter the stifling defense. But Neelyville was able to keep building to the lead behind the impressive playmaking of Layni Dobbins.
At halftime, the Lady Tigers were in control, holding a well-earned 27-17 advantage.
The weight of the 10-point halftime deficit pressed heavily upon Portageville. As they retreated to the locker room, the echoes of Neelyville's cheers followed.
The Lady Tigers emerged from halftime hungry for the victory. Dobbins wasted no time, immediately converting a conventional 3-point play, and Crosswhite followed suit with another 3-pointer, a disheartening blow, to make it 33-17.
The Lady Bulldogs desperately sought answers, but the onslaught was merciless as Crosswhite pierced the net with another triple, making it 38-22.
“[Crosswhite] played amazing and was hitting everything,” Fowler said.
Addison Couch joined the scoring frenzy, drilling a 3-pointer with two minutes and 18 seconds left in the third quarter – a shot that seemed to seal the deal with its 43-23 scoreline.
A timeout became a battle cry, a chance to wipe the doubt from their eyes and replace it with steely resolve.
The memory of a humiliating 20-point loss to Neelyville earlier in the season lingered, but instead of crushing Portageville’s spirits, it spurred a determination to rewrite the narrative.
The Lady Bulldogs emerged from the huddle ready to fight for every inch of the court.
Ja'Niya Smith bulldozed her way inside, earning back-to-back 3-point plays and cutting into the deficit. Jayla Weddington transformed into a force under the basket, securing offensive rebounds and converting them into crucial second-chance points.
Irby added a timely inside bucket, chipping away at Neelyville's lead. With each basket, the impossible seemed slightly less so as Portageville closed the third quarter with a furious 10-0 run, breathing a desperate, defiant energy back into the game.
A factor in the turnaround was the Lady Bulldogs switching to a "triangle-and-two" full-court press, a high-risk, high-reward defensive strategy designed to disrupt the rhythm, force turnovers, and create much-needed scoring opportunities.
“We went back to applying that full-court pressure that we’re used to,” Fowler said.
The mountain still loomed large but Portageville refused to stop climbing.
Irby hammered away at the lead in the fourth quarter, burying two critical 3-pointers in the opening minutes to cut the lead to 45-43 with 5:48 left in the game.
“[Irby] missed some early so it would have been easy for her to give up and quit taking those shots,” Fowler said. “But she didn’t [stop shooting]. She had confidence in herself, taking openings and driving in when they closed out on her.”
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Neelyville's Alana Prince countered with a resilient finish through contact, temporarily pushing the lead back to two possessions, 47-43. But Laney Stone snatched a pivotal offensive rebound and powered through contact for a clutch basket. Stone converted the conventional 3-point play to narrow the lead to 47-46 with 2:57 remaining.
Prince answered with a free throw for the Lady Tigers, extending the lead to 49-46 with just over 50 seconds left, but Weddington secured a crucial offensive rebound on the ensuing possession and scored a putback, making the score 49-48 with 38.5 seconds remaining.
Then, in a clutch moment, Weddington calmly stepped to the line and sank a free throw, knotting the score at 49-49 with 34.7 seconds left.
“There were just a lot of emotions in that moment,” Fowler said. “[Weddington] had been working so hard and we knew that free throws were going to be a big factor.”
The Neelyville crowd, once roaring with confidence, fell silent as a sense of unease crept through the stands.
Portageville seized the lead for the first time with 10.1 seconds left when Stone stepped to the line and calmly sank a free throw, making the score 50-49.
Stone's second free throw attempt rimmed out, giving Neelyville a sliver of hope. The Lady Tigers raced the ball up the court, but the defense swarmed the ballhandler, forcing a desperate pass along the sideline.
Stone, anticipating the play, snatched the interception to seal the unthinkable comeback.
“Honestly, it’s all kind of overwhelming,” Fowler said. “I’m so proud of the girls. We have talked and talked about never giving up and always fighting and they bought into that tonight.”
It wasn’t just a comeback — It was a true display of heart and mental toughness.
The Lady Bulldogs refused to be defined by their early struggles, be intimidated by the hostile crowd, or be chained to the shadow of the past defeat.
“I’m so proud of the way they executed and fought back,” Fowler said. “They did everything we needed them to do. We made free throws, took care of the ball at the end and played hard defense. It’s better than anything you could ask for.”
Portageville's offensive attack was balanced. Irby led the way with 12 points, followed by Smith (11), Farmer (10), Stone (8), Weddington (6), and Greenwell (3).
Crosswhite (16) and Dobbins (15) paced Neelyville's scoring effort.
Portageville will host No. 5 ranked Principia (21-7) on Friday, March 1 in the quarterfinal round of the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament.
The next hurdle is finding a way to contain Dasia Scott, a 6-foot-2 freshman force.
Scott, considered the state's top 2027 prospect, dominates the game on both ends of the floor – averaging 24.6 points, 13.3 rebounds, 3.5 steals, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks, and has offers from Saint Louis, Murray State and Mississippi State.
“We going to need to be able to contain [Scott] and just execute whatever it is that we come up with,” Fowler said. “I don’t know enough about Principia yet to know exactly what that is but we’re going to figure it out this week.”
__LADY BULLDOGS CLAIMS BACK-TO-BACK DISTRICT TITLES__
Portageville showcased its championship pedigree with an 80-32 victory over Senath-Hornersville in the MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Championship at PHS on Friday, Feb. 23.
“It’s always a great feeling to win a district championship and get to continue the season,” Fowler said. “We have great fans and it was great to be able to win it at home and feel that support. It was extra special.”
Portageville seized control of the game early, outscoring Senath-Hornersville 22-9 in each of the first two quarters to build a commanding 44-18 halftime lead. With a comfortable advantage, the Lady Bulldogs eased up in the second half, allowing their bench to gain valuable experience while still extending their lead.
Irby led the balanced offensive attack with 24 points, followed by Weddington with 15. Smith and Aubrey Greenwell each contributed 12 points.
Halie Jamerson led the Lady Lions (6-17) with 14 points.
“We just put a lot of pressure on the ball,” Fowler said. “We also tried to work the ball inside and knock down some outside shoots. Playing hard, being aggressive and letting our defense become our offense were the keys.”
__PORTAGEVILLE 50, NEELYVILLE 49__
P’Ville 6 11 16 17 — 50
N’Ville 14 13 16 6 — 49
Portageville (50) — Taryn Irby 12, Ja’Niya Smith 11, Glo Farmer 10, Laney Stone 8, Jayla Weddington 6, Aubrey Greenwell 3. FG: 17. FT: 14-29. F: 16. (3-pointers: Irby 2. Fouled out: None.)
Neelyville (49) — Jade Crosswhite 16, Layni Dobbins 15, Alana Price 8, Addison Couch 6, Madi Prosser 3. FG: 17. FT: 7-15. F: 25. (3-pointers: Crosswhite 4, Couch 2, Prosser 1, Dobbins 1. Fouled out: Parker Ernst, Prince.)
__PORTAGEVILLE 80, SENATH-HORNERSVILLE 32__
S-H 9 9 12 2 — 32
P’Ville 22 22 27 9 — 80
Senath-Hornersville (32) — Halle Jamerson 14, Kaya Horton 10, Jada Burleson 4, Payne 2, Barksdale 2. FG: 13. 4-8. (3-pointers: Jamerson 2. Fouled out: None.)
Portageville (80) — Taryn Irby 24, Jayla Weddington 15, Ja’Niya Smith 12, Aubrey Greenwell 12, Laney Stone 9, Glo Farmer 6, Juliana Priggel 2. FG: 31. FT: 12-20. F: 14. (3-pointers: Irby 5, Stone 1. Fouled out: None.)
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