Emotionally, the Highland Home Lady Squadron started high and finished high with a 50-27 defeat of New Brockton on Friday night for the Class 2A, Area 5 crown.

In between, there was some letdown.

But that's to be expected, said Lady Squadron head coach Jennifer Fox.

"This game is about emotions and there's so much pressure on these girls to play their best each and every night," she said. "We slipped a little tonight, but I hope that's our last slip-up."

The final score was an indication of how out-matched the Lady Gamecocks were.

But Highland Home did its best to keep New Brockton in the game for most of the first three periods of play.

The Lady Squadron led after the first half 25-10, but New Brockton slowly mounted a comeback in the third period.

The Lady Gamecocks outscored Highland Home 10-4 for the period, cutting the lead to seven points at one juncture. Guard Ladrekas Arrington accounted for the Lady Squadron's only points in the third and pushed the lead to 29-20 as the final seconds of the period ticked off.

Any chance of an upset by New Brockton was quickly erased in the fourth.

Arrington started with a basket, Amanda Dunn followed with one of her own and that kicked off an 11-4 run. By the time the final period was over, the Lady Squadron had finished it by outscoring their New Brockton 21-7.

Arrington led all scorers with a game-high 26 points. Maressa Loman had 12 to lead New Brockton.

Arrington, Brandie James, Jessica Merriweather and Dunn were each named to the all-tournament team for the Lady Squadron.

By virtue of the win on Friday, the Lady Squadron has earned the right to host a sub-regional contest, scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. in Highland Home against Lanett.

The winner advances to Troy University for the Girls, Class 2A Southeast Regionals. Regionals which starts on Feb. 23.