The Lady Eagles played a strong season of basketball for Eupora High School, ending their season at the state playoffs. The team finished its season 17 and seven for the year.
After winning the district championship on Feb. 13, Eupora advanced to the North 2A quarterfinals on Feb. 19 against Belmont. Nursing a two-point lead, the Lady Eagles ended on a 22-13 run and topped Belmont 70-59 to move on.
Eupora then played New Site Feb. 20 in the North Mississippi Tournament semifinal, which New Site won 68-52.
Just when the Class 2A tournament host Lady Royals thought they had things under control, Shante Morton did everything in her power to bring Eupora back to life.
In front of their home fans, New Site took a 51-29 lead in the third period. Eupora, though, scored 15 of the last 19 points of the period, the last five from Morton to cut the lead to 55-44. Her two free throws to open the fourth got Eupora within single digits, 55-46.
"I knew going into the game, getting a good start in the first half was the key and we did that," said New Site coach Byron Sparks. "I knew Eupora would try to make a run, because they're a good team. We got a little rattled, but they composed themselves and got it done."
The Lady Royals went back ahead by 11 points and took a 64-49 lead with 2:38 to play.
Morton paced the Lady Eagles with a game-high 25. Peggy Dotson had 10.
"One of the positive things we can say about the game was that we did fight back," said Eupora coach Curtis Ford. "I really think that (New Site) plays real intelligent ball."
Eupora and West Tallahatchie played Feb. 21 at New Site in the 2A North consolation game, which the Lady Eagles won 61-44. The Clarion-Ledger named Morton a top performer of the week after she scored 32 points in that game.
Eupora then advanced to the first round of the Class 2A MHSAA State Tournament in Jackson, which Kemper County won 57-47 on Feb. 24. Morton led Eupora with 17 points and 14 boards.
The Eupora boys basketball team ended its season Feb. 17 in a first-round North 2A playoff game against Williams-Sullivan, which won 91-55.
This article includes reporting by the Monroe Journal's Brandon Speck.
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