By ISAAC BOURNE | The Arkadelphian

WARREN — Senior guard Liyah Smith and sophomore guard TeTe Tate combined for 33 points in the Arkadelphia Lady Badgers’ 60-57 win Thursday night over the Watson Chapel Lady Wildcats (17-12).

Sophomore wing Taylor Aultman and senior forward Makayla Gentry both also had six in the win, while senior guard Amya Snowden dropped eight and freshman forward Z’layiah Jackson had five in her first ever varsity game.

A big fourth quarter was eventually the catalyst for the Arkadelphia (18-8) win as they outscored the Lady Wildcats 18-14 in the final minutes of the game.

“Our guards did a great job on both sides of the ball,” said head coach Jonathan Klein. “Their ability to attack, especially in transition, really opens our team up and gets things going for us on both sides of the ball.”

This win takes them onto the Friday semifinal round of the 4A Southern Regional tournament, where they will once again face the Nashville Scrapperettes (25-3) for the third time this season.

“We have to take care of the ball and limit the turnovers so we can get the best shot possible,” Klein said. “Defensively, we must play hard to contain them and limit them to one shot and secure boards.”

Even with a loss Friday, the Lady Badgers have a guaranteed spot in the 4A state championship in Blytheville next week, but a win in the regional tournament will give good seeding, and possibly a first round bye to the Lady Badgers.