St. Scholastica Academy won the White Division of the fourth annual SSA Invitational Tournament after defeating Northlake Christian School, 37-36, in the finals Saturday.

The Doves, who went 3-0 in the competition, trailed 26-19 at halftime but outscored the Lady Wolverines, 16-4, in the third quarter.

“I was very excited for the girls,” third-year SSA coach Micki Andry said. “It’s the first time we’ve won our tournament since I’ve been here. The girls fought really hard in the second half. It’s great to win this going into district.”

(Use arrows above to view more photos)

Kayleigh Chiasson led the Doves with 16 points, while Elly Schoen tallied six. NCS got great production from Hope Fitzgerald, who scored a game-high 24 points, with 20 coming in the first half. Caitlin Anderson added eight for the Lady Wolverines.

The all-tournament team featured two players from the White Division finals in Chiasson and Fitzgerald.

Also being named to the squad were Mandeville’s Amy Howard, Pearl River’s Caitlyn Harper and John Ehret’s Tori Scott.

Ehret won the Blue Division title after beating Pearl River, 70-49, behind Scott’s 27 points.

Harper led PRHS with 13, while Katie Guido posted 11.

Twelve teams participated in the tournament with four pools and two divisions.

In Saturday’s White Division’s third-place game, SSA beat Pope John Paul II, 39-36.

Carly Keller registered 14 points for the Doves, while Schoen posted seven.

PJP’s Danielle Olivier and Christa Roscigno each finished with nine points.

In the second-place White Division game, Mandeville beat Salmen, 50-42.

Mandeville’s Melanie Gaines led all scorers with 15 points. Kelsey Sparks scored 12, and Howard was also in double figures with 11.

Salmen’s Rica Smith topped the Lady Spartans with 12 points, while Samara Dingiswayo and Cydne Holden each had 10.

In a consolation game Saturday, Ehret filled in for Metairie Park Country Day and knocked off Albany, 56-33.

Due to Thursday’s games being cancelled due to the snow, different arrangements were made, including two games being played at Northlake Christian’s gym on Saturday.

NCS tops

John McDonogh

The first game at NCS saw the Lady Wolverines lead 17-0 after the first quarter and beat John McDonogh, 62-19, as Anderson posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

NCS took a 31-8 advantage into halftime. The Lady Wolverines opened up the advantage and grabbed a 47-14 lead after the third quarter before cruising to victory.

“I was glad we were finally able to execute our fast break,” Anderson said. “Everyone had a really good game.”

Breiana Armstrong posted 10 points. Molly Gaddy and Brandi Chesne each tallied eight for NCS. All nine Lady Wolverines scored.

Pearl River

beats Salmen

The second game at Northlake Christian School was more competitive as district rivals Pearl River and Salmen took to the hardwood.

Despite the game not counting toward the district standings, it had the feel of a mid-season clash and Pearl River won, 63-55.

The Lady Rebels grabbed the momentum at the end of the third quarter. Pearl River’s Kyra Washington, who tallied eight points, hit a 2-pointer with 25 seconds left to give her team a 47-46 lead.

Salmen decided to hold for the final shot and attempt to get the advantage going into the fourth period. But Missy Pichon, who recorded 13 points, had another idea. She came up with a steal and put up a 3-pointer at the buzzer that hit nothing but net.

The Lady Rebels took a 50-46 lead into the final quarter.

“It was a good steal. I didn’t know I was going to make the shot. It was like a hail Mary,” Pichon said.

Pichon added she knew there wasn’t much time left when she made the play.

“I saw we only had a few more seconds, so I ran down, threw one up, and it went in,” Pichon said.

Pearl River coach Julian Carter said plays like that help a squad the rest of the game.

“That gives the team the momentum to keep on going and dig down deeper with what’s happening in the flow of the game,” Carter said.

In the fourth quarter, PRHS started with a 6-1 run, taking a 56-47 advantage, the biggest for either team.

Salmen was only able to trim it down to 58-52 with 3:03 left, but Pearl River was in control throughout the final quarter.

Guido led PRHS with 16 points, while Harper posted 13.

For Salmen, Smith led the way with 23 points, while Dingiswayo put up 20.

Ehret tops

Country Day

In the final game of pool play, Ehret beat Country Day, 45-41.

As for the tournament, Andry said the teams had to fight hard for wins.

“This year’s games were the most competitive we’ve had,” Andry said. “The teams that showed up had great competition.”

She also added thanks to NCS for helping out with their facilities.