COURTLAND—For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Southampton High School girls’ basketball team has earned a berth to the state tournament.

“I’ve just got to calm my heart,” Lady Indian Coach Aronda Bell said minutes after Thursday night’s 44-36 win over Prince Edward – a game in which the teams tied the score five times and there were five lead changes.

“We’re very excited,” Bell said. “It’s been a long time since Southampton has advanced to the state tournament.”

The win over the No. 5 Lady Eagles in the Region 1 semifinals means No. 1 ranked Southampton will qualify as one of the two top teams from the region to advance to the state tournament. Should the Lady Indians win the Region 1 title at 7 tonight, Feb. 25, they will play Saturday, March 5, at the College of William and Mary. It was not known on Thursday night when and where they would play if they lose tonight. It also was unknown who they would be playing tonight.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied 7-7. At the half, Southampton led 16-15. Prince Edwards senior Shadae Childress scored at the third-quarter buzzer, leaving Southampton with a 28-25 lead.

With 3:58 left in the game, the score was tied 33-33. Lady Indian Sheree Falkins scored 2 and senior Regina Artis made two foul shots to give Southampton a 37-33 lead.

Lady Indian senior Tenicia Joyner made another foul shot and Artis followed suit after a technical foul was called on the Lady Eagles’ coach for arguing with the referee. This gave Southampton a 39-34 lead.

Artis scored 2 points and added another point on a foul shot, extending the Lady Indians’ lead to 42-34. Each team scored two more points for the final score.

Artis led the Lady Indians with 19 points. Joyner added 10 points and led with 15 rebounds. Artis added 12 rebounds.