Portageville's season ends in quarterfinal loss to Principia

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — The final buzzer sounded on Portageville’s season, the 50-42 Class 2 quarterfinal loss to Principia marking a heart-wrenching end to the team’s incredible journey on Friday, March 1.

As the game unfolded, the Lady Bulldogs (23-6) confidence grew, the execution sharpened, and they battled toe-to-toe with the No. 5 Lady Panthers (22-7), but initial struggles ultimately proved too much to overcome.

“It hurts because we were so close,” said Portageville coach Kellye Fowler. "We were eight points from history, from the Final Four – something this program has never achieved. We believed we could do it, and we still think it was possible on a different night, a different game, or if we started a little differently. There is a lot of pain right now, but they’ll be able to look back and be proud of the fact that they played hard and got this close.”

Portageville's Jayla Weddington (3) drives during a 50-42 loss to Principia in the quarterfinal round of the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament at Portageville High School on Friday, March 1, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Principia's relentless pressure took its toll early with its aggressive man-to-man defense, leading to a shocking 12-3 scoreline at the end of the first quarter.

The Lady Panthers stretched the margin to 18-3 before the Lady Bulldogs finally found a rhythm with Laney Stone's 3-pointer cutting the deficit to 21-11 with just under three minutes left in the half, but they missed a crucial chance to close the gap further before the buzzer. Principia held a 25-15 lead at halftime.

“The offense was just a little slow in that first quarter,” Fowler said. “We don’t see man-to-man defense like that around. Girls team don’t play that and it’s hard to prepare for that when you do not ever see it in a game situation."

Portageville's Aubrey Greenwell (21) scans the defense during a 50-42 loss to Principia in the quarterfinal round of the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament at Portageville High School on Friday, March 1, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

An early third-quarter floater by Taryn Irby brought the score within single digits, but Principia quickly responded, pushing the advantage back to 34-19.

Portageville fought back again, a flurry of points from Jayla Weddington, Stone, and Irby slicing the lead to 34-28.

“Once we figured out what worked and got in a groove, we played right with them,” Fowler said. “I was so proud of how our girls adjusted and how they came back and fought. There were several times when it would have been real easy for our girls to quit but they never did. They battled hard and executed what we wanted defensively.”

Portageville's Ja'Niya Smith (23) drives during a 50-42 loss to Principia in the quarterfinal round of the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament at Portageville High School on Friday, March 1, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

But just as hope surged, Dasia Scott delivered a demoralizing 3-point play, restoring the Lady Panthers’ cushion at 37-28 heading into the final quarter.

The battle raged on. Ja'Niya Smith's 3-point play brought Portageville within six, but Principia always seemed to have an answer.

“[Smith] finished around the basket better than she has all season,” Fowler said. “She stepped up, locked in and I’ve always known and told her that she had that kind of potential and nobody could guard her.”

Portageville's Laney Stone (5) looks for an opening during a 50-42 loss to Principia in the quarterfinal round of the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament at Portageville High School on Friday, March 1, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Despite the Lady Bulldogs’ clear improvement throughout the game, relentlessly chipping away at the deficit, their slow start proved insurmountable.

A late pair of free throws pushed Principia's lead back into double digits, securing the final score of 50-42.

Despite the heartbreaking outcome, Fowler sees a silver lining in this team's journey: the enduring commitment of their seniors.

Portageville's Taryn Irby (33) drives during a 50-42 loss to Principia in the quarterfinal round of the MSHSAA Class 2 State Tournament at Portageville High School on Friday, March 1, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“They were so dedicated to girls’ basketball and what we were doing here,” she said. “They showed up time I opened the gym. They were here working, getting better together. That’s what made this group special. They knew their strength and worked hard on that. They were leaders and got the girls behind them to do the same thing.”

As the departing seniors pass the torch, Fowler is optimistic about Portageville's future. The strong foundation they helped establish sets the stage for continued success.

"We have a good group coming back," she concluded. "If Smith plays the way she did tonight, there isn't anyone around here who can stop her. Glo Farmer is one of the best defensive players around and has so much potential. Irby is an elite basketball player, and she works so hard at it. We also have some other pieces moving up from the junior varsity team that only lost one game all season. We just want to continue this winning program and establish Portageville as a team to be reckoned with in girls’ basketball. I told our seniors that they have had a huge part in doing that and now it’s the responsibility of these underclassmen to keep it going.”

__PRINCIPIA 50, PORTAGEVILLE 42__

Principia 12 13 12 13 — 50

Portageville 3 12 13 14 — 42

Principia (50) — Dasia Scott 21, Nyja Williams 9, Jayla Hawkins 9, Nylah Young 7, Ellie Church 4. FG: 19. FT: 11-18. F: 20. (3-pointers: Young 1. Fouled out: None.)

Portageville (42) — Ja’Niya Smith 15, Taryn Irby 9, Jayla Weddington 8, Laney Stone 4, Aubrey Greenwell 4, Glo Farmer 2. FG: 14. FT: 12-19. F: 17. (3-pointers: Stone 1, Irby 1. Fouled out: None.)