The Monticello Lady Billies played their final game of the season on Thursday, February 15, hosting the Lady Ricebirds from Stuttgart.
It would be the end of the 2023-24 season for both squads as neither team would finish in the top four in the 8-4A to qualify for the Regional Tournament.
Before the start of the contest, Monticello would honor their senior class in the annual Senior Night held on the final regular season contest at home.
After the senior recognitions, the Lady Billies and Lady Ricebirds would take the court for the first contest of the evening.
Monticello would get on the board to begin the contest with ShaKyra Binns scoring two points after driving the lane.
Stuttgart would come back to score the next four points off free throws, but the Lady Billies would go on an 8-0 run to take a 10-4 lead with 3:03 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lady Billies would finish the quarter, outscoring the Lady Ricebirds 19-4.
Stuttgart would come back in the second quarter to hold Monticello to four points in the quarter while scoring seven points.
Monticello would maintain the lead throughout the second quarter to take a 23-11 lead into the half time break.
Returning from the break, the Lady Billies would regain their momentum in the third quarter.
The Lady Billies would be get the first score of the second half, starting the third quarter on a 7-0 run
Aunesti Jackson would start things off with a two followed by a pair of free throws by Zaniyah Thompson with Jackson capping the run with a three pointer.
Monticello would outscore Stuttgart 16-5 in the third quarter to hold a 39-16 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Monticello would continue to add to their lead in the fourth quarter.
Monticello would get three pointers from Zariyah Gaston and Abri Scott to assist in the Lady Billies putting the contest under the “Sportsmanship Rule” on their way to outscoring Stuttgart in the quarter 16-8 to take the 51-24 victory.
for the Lady Billies, the victory would give the Lady Billies a fifth place finish in conference.
Leading the way for the Lady Billies was Aunesti Jackson with 13 points in the contest followed by ShaKyra Binns and Zariyah Gaston with 1o points each.
Genesis Freeman would add seven points, Ca’Myhiah Lewis would score four points, and Abri Scott with three points.
Rounding out the scoring for the Lady Billies was Zaniyah Thompson, Anniyah Smith, Saniyah Harrell, and Ny’Jailia Brown with two points each.
The Lady Billies finish the season with an overall record of 10-16, improving from the 2022-23 seasons record of 5-18, and 2021-22 season of 2-16.
The team finished the season with a 8-4A Conference record of 6-8 which is an improvement from the 2022-23 season record of 5-9 and from the 2021-22 season record of 2-8.
The Lady Billies also accomplished defeating Little rock Mills, the team that finished fourth in conference play., in both of their conference contests this season.
The Lady Billies defeated Mills by one point at home and repeated their one point win over MIlls on the road.
The Lady Billies finished the season winning three consecutive contests.
