Staff Reports

FREEPORT, Fla. – The Spring Garden Lady Panthers went 3-0 in the Sandestin Basketball Blowout in Florida this week, including an 80-46 victory over the Mississippi Class 2A defending state champion, New Site, on Wednesday.

In that game, Neely Welsh sank four 3-pointers and finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and an assist. Ace Austin added 23 points, six assists, five rebounds and a block. Kayley Kirk contributed 12 points, four boards, an assist and a steal. Sarah Kate McKay managed eight points, five boards, an assist, a steal and a block.

On Tuesday, the Lady Panthers defeated Franklin, Tenn., 57-35. Welsh again led the Lady Panthers with 16 points, including three treys, to go along with five rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists. Austin collected 13 points, nine assists, six rebounds and five steals. McKay came away with nine points and nine boards. Kirk had six points and five boards. Abbey Steward delivered six points and a pair of assists. Bri Boles finished with five points, two boards and a steal.

Spring Garden began the tournament on Monday with a 79-41 win over Montgomery Academy. In that game, the Lady Panthers sank 13 3-pointers.

Welsh netted 26 points, including three treys. She also had five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Austin delivered 21 points, including three 3-pointers, with nine assists, seven boards and six steals. Steward sank four treys and finished with 12 points. She also had three assists, two steals, a rebound and a block. McKay collected seven points, six boards and a steal.