Latta’s Lady Vikings battled their way to a 56-49 win over the Hemingway Tigers on Tuesday night in girls varsity basketball action.

It was the first time the two teams have met since playing for the lower state championship in 2014. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 in the state in Class A girls basketball, and are part of one of the toughest regions in the state which includes Carvers Bay, ranked second in the state, and Green Sea Floyds, ranked eighth.

Hemingway took a 13-11 lead in the first quarter on Tuesday, but Latta outscored the Tigers 12-7 in the second to lead 23-20 at the half. Hemingway closed the gap to 36-34 with a 14-13 third quarter.

Hemingway cut Latta’s lead to just one point at 40-39 in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings went on a 10-0 run to pull ahead. Latta outscored the Tigers 20-15 in the quarter to seal the win.

Latta’s TaKeria Legette and Hemingway’s Diamond McFadden each scored a game-high 22 points to lead their teams.

Legette sank four 3-point shots in the win. Rianna Green added 13 points for the Vikings and Mallory Townsend earned 11. Maya Wright scored eight points and Tamera Campbell added two in the win.

Zasia Thomas earned 10 points for the Tigers. Latanya Barr scored 7; Wykasha Space, 4; Elayshia Edwards, 2; Kirsten Cooper, 2; and Niesha Canty, 2.

Latta improved to 8-3 overall and 3-0 in Region 8-A, while the Tigers slipped to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the region.

The Lady Vikings are scheduled to travel to Green Sea Floyds this Friday and will be at home to host Carvers Bay on Tuesday night to take on the number two team in the state. The Bears hold a 9-2 record overall and are 3-0 in the region. Game time is set for 6:00 p.m., so make plans to attend to support our local team!

Photos by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click the images below to view at full size!