By TAYLOR DENMAN

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Provine High School guard Jakia Harper drove to the goal with approximately nine seconds remaining in the Region 6-3A state title game and banked in the go-ahead layup to clinch the region title and a No. 1 seed in South State.

The host school, Natchez High School, found itself on the losing side Friday night, falling to Provine 48-46.

“With this game, there were too many emotions,” Natchez coach Alphaka Moore said. “They were just too rattled.”

Natchez controlled a 28-20 lead at halftime. The Lady Bulldogs watched the lead dissolve in the third quarter when Provine earned its first lead of the game, 34-32, off a 14-4 run.

Natchez battled back to tie the game with approximately one minute left. Natchez went to the free-throw line less than 25 seconds remaining, but couldn’t cash in on free throws. Provine got the rebound and drove the lane to add its final two points.

“We missed too many layups (Friday) and missed too may free throws,” Moore said. “These are things they do every day — day in, day out. They just have to focus.”

Defensively, Provine saw success driving into the lane and converting on layups.

“We were man to man,” Moore said. “Basically, keep your man out of the paint.”

Foul trouble also plagued Natchez late in the game. Skylar Morgan — who led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring with 14 points and rebounding with 13 — picked up three fouls in the first half. Morgan check out of the game at the end of the third quarter and checked back in with just over two minutes remaining.

“We had Terries Smith go in, and she knew what to do,” Moore said. “She had to be smart defensively and she did pretty well so Skylar could come back in and be effective.”

Kirdis Clark had 11 points and five rebounds for Natchez and Ernesha Chatman posted nine points with five rebounds, six assists and five steals.

Natchez got strong rebounding performances across the starting lineup; Asia Carradine had 11 rebounds and Destiny Lyles finished with nine rebounds.

Harper was Provine’s leading scorer with 21 points. Elexis Peyton add 12 points for Provine.

Provine will host its first South State game as the region champion. Natchez will travel to South Jones on Monday.