By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
WICKSBURG —The Wicksburg High School Lady Panthers showed grit, poise, and championship resolve, rallying from a late deficit to defeat Slocomb 52–45 in overtime to capture the Class 3A Area 3 championship in a thrilling contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
Wicksburg came out sharp in the opening quarter, building a 13–9 advantage behind aggressive defense and steady offensive execution. Slocomb responded before halftime, however, turning the momentum with a strong second quarter to take a 26–17 lead into the break.
The Lady Panthers refused to fade, cutting into the deficit after halftime and tightening the game defensively. Slocomb maintained a narrow edge through three quarters, leading 33–27 heading into the final period.
Wicksburg surged late, matching Slocomb point for point in the fourth quarter to force overtime tied at 45–45. In the extra period, the Lady Panthers took full control, locking down defensively and delivering timely baskets to outscore Slocomb 7–0 and secure the championship victory.
The Wicksburg Lady Panthers are used to tight games against Slocomb. The last time the two teams faced off, in mid-January, Slocomb emerged victorious, 52-49, after leading for the last three quarters. This time, however, Wicksburg flipped the script and managed to outpace the Slocomb varsity girls.
Wicksburg advanced to the final round of the area tournament after edging Northside Methodist Academy in a tightly contested semifinal, 44–41. Slocomb earned its spot in the championship game by defeating Houston Academy, 39–24, setting the stage for a dramatic title showdown.
The win caps a hard-fought area tournament run for the Lady Panthers and underscores Wicksburg’s resilience in pressure moments. With the Class 3A Area 3 title in hand, Wicksburg now turns its focus toward postseason play, carrying momentum and confidence earned in one of the season’s most dramatic finishes.
