Last night, the Pantherettes defeated Midland Lee 73-41 in the regional semifinal playoff game setting up another game with Plano West in the Regional Finals today at 1 p.m. The game was a slowed down pace for the Pantherettes but they simply just find a way win.

The Pantherettes controlled the Lady Rebels on both sides of the floor throughout the game. The Pantherettes dominated on the boards and played lockdown man-to-man defense in the half court.

“I like the way we really got after it,” head Pantherette coach Cathy Self-Morgan said. “We really executed our defense well.”

Ciera Johnson came away with some big time numbers accumulating near 25 points, 18 rebounds and 4 steals. With other contributing performances by Zarielle Green, Aniya Thomas and Madison Townley with a combined 27 pts and playing lockdown defense the team took the Lady Rebels out of their comfort zone quickly.

“Ciera had a really great game” Self Morgan said. “She really wanted the ball and worked persistently to get her game going.”

Coach Self Morgan has played in many playoff games and she has a lot of playoff wins under her belt. She showed this when she used the full zone-trap in the second half causing many turnovers for the Lady Rebels. Once the Pantherettes seemed to get in a comfortable position and continued dominant basketball, the Lady Rebels began to gradually lose their drive in the game.

“Our guards played really well,” Coach Self Morgan said. “Nina , Zae and Aniya really gave their guards trouble handling the ball up the court.”

Pantherettes will face Natalie Chou & the Plano West Lady Wolves in the regional final before they have a chance to make it to the San Antonio Alamodome for the state title. The Pantherettes have already defeated the Lady Wolves in their own Sandra Meadows tournament 72-44 in December.

“If we want to win we have to get through this pressure,” Self-Morgan said. “Our game has to be on point if we want to win and play in San Antonio.”