1994

River for region title 66-62 Pmrell had 21 points and three personals by halftime, while East Central had the lead 44-32.

Still, foul calls were virtually even - 26 on PR, 24 on EC - and t he Lady Cats did much better at the free– throw line, making 15 of27 attempts to the winners' 8 of 29. Pearl River's shortcomings were shooting from the floor and rebounding. East Central delivered its upset with balance as Rena Reed had 19 points, Carla Leflore 14and Evelyn Nelson 10. For Pearl River, Elaine's sister Karen Powell scored 16 - 10 in the second half- and was the only other Lady Cat in double figures. Bossier Parish moves on to Hutchinson, Kan., for the National Junior College AthleticAssociation Division I men's championships March 15-19. East Central in turn goes to Tyler, Texas, for the NJCAA women's na– tionals.

At 14:28 in the seccnd half, Powell had added five more points and two more fouli and departed with EC on top51-40. Thereafter, PR played much closer to what you'd ex– pect ofa nationally ranked state champion. Meanwhile EC coach Sammy Pace felt his Lady Warriors let up without Powell to cha..eoe. But the Lady Wildcats, after drawing within 60-57 v.1 th 5:36left, froze up. and East Central slipped out the winner. PR coach Polly Kirk and smoldered about the offici– ating. "East Central pla~ed really well the first half, we played bad and therewere other people on the court who did worse," she said