The Latta Lady Vikings basketball team defeated Bethune-Bowman to advance in the playoffs.

PHOTO GALLERY BY JOHNNIE DANIELS/THE DILLON HERALD
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The Lady Vikings basketball team defeated Bethune-Bowman 73 to 27 in Class A playoff action on Thursday, Feb.18, in Latta.
The Latta Vikings controlled the opening tip-off and the tempo of the game as it was fast-paced and full of action. After the tip-off Latta began connecting on baskets.  The Bethune-Bowman Lady Mohawks soon learned that the quickness of Latta was too much as the Latta girls began applying pressure on the defensive end and quickly the steals began to mount.
The score was not indicative of the game as the game proved exciting for all in attendance.
Latta’s Takeria Legette sank the opening 3-point shot of the night to take the lead and never relinquished the lead during the game.
Many times one would see several girls scrambling for loose balls.
The first quarter of action saw little scoring as the quarter ended with Latta on top 10 to 4.
The second quarter Latta hit several shots  and applied pressure on the defensive end to take control of the game.  Latta outscored the Lady Mohawks 27 to 7 in the second quarter to take a 33 to 11 lead.
The second half of action began with Latta applying defensive pressure and hit on many of their shots.
The Lady Mohawks never gave up and fought throughout the game.
The third quarter ended with Latta leading 49 to 19.
Latta substituted freely in the game giving several players the opportunity to show their skills while connecting on shots and pressing on defense.
In the waining moments of the game players on both sides were aggressively after loose balls even to the extent of scrambling on the floor.
The final shot of the game proved to be the same as the first shot of the game.  Takeria Legette sank a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
Latta’s Takeria Legette led all scorers with 32 points.  #32 Cierra Sullivan added 10 points in the victory while Arica Gandy garnered 8 points.  Rianna Green connected for 6 points and Tamera Campbell hit for 5 points. Moya McDuffie and Iyona McKenzie each had 4 points while Tyjhane Faison had 2 .
#4 Keosha Simpson had 16 points to lead the Lady Mohawks.  Felder added 4 points and Hamilton 3 points while Holman and Bradley each had 2 points.
Latta is now 14 and 4 for the season.
The Latta Vikings hosted Timmonsville on Monday, Feb. 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Class A girls’ lower state semifinal.