Ferriday High School outscored Mangham High School by 14 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and secure an emotional 58-57 win Friday night.

Mangham had a chance at the end of the game after stealing a pass in the final seconds, but Ferriday held on after Mangham’s last second-shot came up short.

The Lady Trojans (12-8, 2-2) trailed for much of the contest, but found a way in the final period to erase a 45-32 deficit.

Through the first three periods, Mangham pressured and harassed Ferriday into multiple careless turnovers that resulted in easy baskets. In the final quarter, however, the Lady Trojans flipped the script.

“The pressure defense worked for us,” Ferriday coach Lisa Abron said. “And we made some adjustments on where we position certain people. We knew they didn’t handle the ball well, and it worked for us.”

Anasia Turner led Ferriday with 18 points, while Shanique Hillard scored 12 and Diamond Johnson had 11.

Turner the tied game on a free throw with 45 seconds remaining, and Johnson put her squad ahead moments later with another free throw.

While the Lady Trojans were making their furious fourth-quarter rally, Abron was stoic on the sideline, providing a calming influence for her squad.

“That’s me,” Abron said. “If they see me jumping and down getting hysterical, that’s how they’re going to play. But if they se me calm, it kind of eases them down.”

Taira Haynes and Raci Dallas led Mangham with 19 and 13 points, respectively.

Ferriday will attempt to keep the momentum going Tuesday when it hosts Ouachita Christian.

Abron said the key for his squad moving forward will be to sustain the effort they put forth in Friday’s final period.

“I’ve seen it three to four times this year,” she said. “I saw it from day 1. They’re so young, and they have never been in this type of atmosphere before. It’s a learning process.”

Ferriday (boys) 69, Mangham 60

Ferriday led from start to finish and cruised to a 69-60 win over Mangham in boys action.

Mangham managed to make it close at the end after Ferriday emptied their bench midway through the fourth quarter, allowing for a number of younger players to see extensive minutes. Mangham outscored Ferriday 28-12 in the final period.

“This is when we need to see what they can do,” Ferriday coach K.G. Watkins said of his bench players. “When we get into the latter games and into the playoffs and need them to come off the bench, they need to be able to go out and execute, and I didn’t see that tonight.”

When the Trojans (15-5, 3-1) starters were in, however, they were in complete control. The Trojans used their size and speed to consistently break down the Dragons’ pressing defense and convert easy layups.

“If I had five more like that (the starters), it would be so much easier,” Watkins said. “(The starters) did what they were supposed to do. We had a 20-plus lead, and (the bench) didn’t get it done. But we’re OK with that. We’re never going to have to put them all in there at the same time. We would integrate them with some of the starters, and they will fill those roles a little bit better.”

Carlos Collins led Ferriday with 18 points, while Dantrieze Scott had 16. Jer’Lyric Brooks and Ronald Williams each reached double-figures with 11 points.

“Carlos and Dantrieze have been solid, and the guard play tonight was a little better than normal,” Watkins said. “Everybody stepped up, and that’s what we’re hoping continues to happen.”