Sports Editor

If it’s true that three times is

a charm, Class 5A girl’s basketball better watch out.

For the third straight year under head coach Dyneshia Jones, the Charles Henderson Lady Trojans are headed to Troy State where they will compete in the Girl’s Class 5A Southeast Regional.

CHHS downed Russell County on Thursday night, 43-38, advancing to the AHSAA’s regional round.

"Before you get there, you’re just nervous," said Jones, "because you’re always wanting to better yourself as a coach and as a team. But it’s always exciting to reach regions."

But for awhile on Thursday night, even the idea of CHHS making the short trek up the road to TSU was in doubt.

Russell County used the 3-point shooting of Emmeline Horace in the third quarter to erase 13 point deficit to the Lady Trojans. Horace, who finished with nine points all coming in third, tied the game for the first time 31-31 in the final seconds of the quarter.

The Warriors took their first lead of the game in the first minute of the fourth quarter when guard Kerrie Washington put in a basket making the score 33-32.

There were six lead changes in the final period, but with CHHS leading 38-37, point guard Jenean Deveridge sliced a pass to Clarissa Parker beneath the basket for an easy two points, giving the Lady Trojans a three point advantage.

Deveridge then went 3-of-6 from the line in the final 20 seconds of play to secure the victory.

Deveridge, who leads the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game, did not have the best night from the floor, finishing with just five points. However, she did pull down eight rebounds and dish out six assists.

"That’s why it’s good to be a team player," said Jones about her senior point guard. "Throwing the ball off on an assist and getting rebounds or steals is important too. She’s a good all-around player."

Clarissa Parker led CHHS with 16 points and 11 boards, while Kelly Miller dropped in 13.

The Lady Trojans will take on the winner of Thursday night’s Benjamin Russell-Sylacauga contest at Troy State next Friday.