Mikaylah Williams leads Parkway to title game with convincing win over Barbe

HAMMOND – Parkway is on a mission.

A year after losing a thrilling overtime final to Ponchatoula, the Panthers are back with a vengeance, having lost just one game this season.

That mark stayed intact Thursday afternoon.

LSU signee Mikaylah Williams scored 23 points, pulled down 17 rebounds, dished out four assists and came up with four steals as the second-seeded Panthers easily handled third0seeded Barbe 61-28 in the Non-Select Division I semifinals at University Center.

Williams had a lot of help from Chloe Larry, who scored 20 points and pulled down six rebounds with three steals.

Barbe (28-5) came out playing strong defense and took a 6-2 lead early but Parkway closed the opening quarter on a 5-0 run to take an 11-10 lead behind nine points from Williams and never trailed again.

The Panthers asserted themselves in the second quarter, closing it out on a 10-0 run to open up a 33-15 halftime lead as Larry had a tremendous quarter with 14 points. The lead grew to 47-17 in the third quarter before settling for a 47-23 lead after three quarters.

Parkway coasted home in the final quarter.

Tylissa Henderson added seven points for the Panthers.

It was a two-person show for the Buccaneers as A’reil Williams had 14 points and 14 rebounds while Mikaylah Manley had eight points with 12 rebounds.

Parkway (25-1) advances to its second straight state championship game Saturday night, taking on the winner of top seed Walker and No. 5 Ponchatoula. The Green Wave edged the Panthers 80-79 in double overtime for the Class 5A state championship a year ago.

FINAL
Parkway 11 22 14 14 61
Barbe 10 5 8 5 28

Parkway defeats Barbe 61-28 to advance to the Divison I State Championship! 🏀🏆 pic.twitter.com/NsymgUtj94

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) March 2, 2023