Only one girl on No. 12 Ferriday High School’s basketball roster had ever been in a playoff game before Thursday, but that didn’t deter the Lady Trojans as they breezed to a 52-26 victory over No. 21 Pine in the Bi-district round of LHSAA Class 2A action.

Ferriday used its size to control the basket, and once it pulled ahead, had no problem defending the ball.

“Our immediate game plan was to go inside and feed the post,” Ferriday coach Lisa Abron said. “I noticed that (Pine) didn’t have anybody that could match up with us, so that’s what we did.”

Freshman Pacha Poole was the go-to inside player, and was able to score 15 of her 19 points before the half.

“I’m playing hard for the seniors because it is their last year,” she said.

Abron said although Poole is young, she is giving everything she has so far this season.

“It’s all just fun for her,” she said. “As long as it continues to be a lot of fun, it goes in our favor because she has a wonderful game when she does.”

Pine had a difficult time getting into an offensive rhythm and was held to single digit scoring in each quarter.

Senior Breyanna Brown led the Lady Raiders effort with 15 points.

“We didn’t play well and didn’t do the things we needed to do to win,” Pine coach Mary McGinnis said. “Their size really wore on us, and we couldn’t keep them off the boards early.”

With a quick lead, the Lady Trojans used the clock in their favor.

Shanique Hillard, Anasia Tuner and Diamond Johnson made passes back and forth holding the ball for about three minutes before the break.

When they finally forced the possession under the rim, it was Poole who came up with the offensive rebound and tipped in the goal to put Ferriday up at the half, 23-11.

“I kind of talked it over (with my assistant) and said ‘We don’t have to shoot it,’” Abron said. “We wanted to make them come out on us. We knew it would be to our advantage because I noticed that their ball handling wasn’t that crafty.”

Zhane Green did her part in the win by scoring 15 points, including sinking 7 of 10 free throws. Johnson added eight of her own.

Moving forward, Abron said the Lady Trojans will focus on keeping the right mindset.

“It’s all business from now on,” she said. “We just want to try and keep that momentum going.”

Ferriday will travel to No. 5 Red River for the Regional round Monday.