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Lanett’s girls basketball team was too much for Valley on Saturday as the Lady Panthers topped the Lady Rams 64-46. 

Lanett’s pressure on the defensive side made it hard for Valley to find a rhythm on offense. The Lady Panthers started the game on a 9-0 run and led by four after one period. 

“In a game like this, high-intensity rivalry game, you’ve got to come out with the energy,” Lanett coach Charlie Williams said. “You’ve got to take the energy to them.” 

Lanett continued the pressure on defense in the second period and allowed just five points in the frame. The Lady Panthers took a 33-14 lead into halftime. 

The Lady Rams answered the bell coming out of the half, going on an 11-1 run to start the third period. 

Lanett always had an answer as the Lady Panthers responded with an 8-1 run to finish the third period. Both teams found their footing on offense in the fourth period, scoring 42 points combined in the frame. 

As the game progressed, Laila Lancaster and MaKiah White exerted their will on the inside. White led the way with 21 points while Lancaster followed with 18 points. 

“They’re just doing their jobs,” Williams said. “They do that every night. The game is a lot easier when they’re dominant.” 

Lanett put a lot of focus on stopping Kayden Dooley, and at times their defensive pressure did make it tough for Dooley. Against a player of Dooley’s caliber, there’s only so much a defense can do. Dooley still led all scorers with 27 points in the game. 

The win for Lanett was the team’s second win in two nights. The Panthers are currently 9-4 with a matchup against Loachapoka on Tuesday. The Lady Rams have lost two in a row and currently sit at 4-6. Valley’s next matchup is against Beauregard on Tuesday.