Students lined the sidewalk to watch the Lady Wave board the bus on the way make a splash at the semi-finals. Students carried signs and dressed in blue and gold attire in support of the Wave. On Wednesday, March 1, the Lady Wave faced off against the Biloxi Arrows at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson. The team won 56-45 and will play the Germanton Mavericks  Saturday at 5 for the state championship.

The team left the school during 2nd block on Wednesday with students waving them on and a police escort. They were focused on preparing on the long drive down to Jackson. 

“We just kind of stayed to our routine. We stopped to get off to eat in Winona, and then got off the bus [to] walk around a little bit and then get the game early. So we can shake our legs off and then start mentally preparing for the game,” said head basketball coach Matt Justice.

The team arrived at the coliseum and was prepared to give it their all. The wave got off to a slow start in the first period with Boluxi leading by 2 at the end. The game was neck to neck but the Wave remained in control leading by one point over the arrows. The wave remained in control to take a 11 point lead over the arrows at the end of the game. Seniors, Mikaykla Riley and Audria Houston took charge and led during the game.

Riley was the lead scorer with a total of 26 points for the Wave. Riley also had the most field goals attempted with 21. Houston was the second highest scorer with a total of 17 points.

Justice was proud of how his team of senior has grown since they first stepped on the court. 

“[I’m] just proud. [We have] five seniors. [I’m] proud for them to be able to play. In the last game this season there [are] only 2 teams left. So just excited for them and their opportunity to bring back a gold ball,” Justice said.

The team has kept a steady but open mindset leading into the big game against the Mavericks this Saturday. 

“We keep everything the same. It’s just another game. So just like all the other ones, it’s a little bit more on this game, but we’re gonna keep our routine the same,” Justice said.