Mission accomplished: Parkway girls get revenge on Ponchatoula by claiming Division I non-select championship
By LaMar Gafford | Photo by Michael Odendahl
HAMMOND, La. – Mikaylah Williams had accomplished nearly every accolade during her storied high school career at Parkway.
On Saturday night, that list became complete.
Williams led Parkway to its first state title when it defeated Ponchatoula, 80-57, in the Division I non-select championship game at Southeastern Louisiana's University Center.
The game was a rematch of last year’s 80-79 double overtime thriller that the Lady Wave won thanks to a game-tying 3-pointer by current Tulane freshman Jaylee Womack to force overtime.
“It feels real good leaving high school with a bang,” Williams said. “I’m just grateful for my teammates and all the bonds they helped me build and my coaches for helping me mature in life and basketball.”
Williams - who is a McDonald's All-American - earned Most Outstanding Player honors in her final high school game by scoring 34 points and grabbing 11 rebounds on 11-of-18 shooting.
The LSU signee came out for vengeance from last year by scoring 11 points in the first quarter. It was clearly evident that it was her night when she made a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to give the Lady Panthers a 41-27 advantage.
“I was locked in from the jump,” Williams said. “I know how we felt last year and how we were all disappointed that we came up so close.
"That feeling drove me and motivated me to this win.”
Check It Out: Rosepine girls squad turns to juniors for first state championship win
Ponchatoula (26-9) could not find an answer for Williams as by the third quarter, the lead swelled to 20.
Lady Wave senior Taylor Jackson had 20 points and six steals, but Parkway constantly put the Lady Wave in different sets and defenses.
“I think we’re going home as a winner,” Lady Wave coach Patricia Landaiche said. “This is a runner-up trophy that I would take all day long. These girls are amazing.”
On the 'Double': Three in double figures as Wossman girls repeat as champions
Parkway (26-1) was also fueled by junior Chloe Larry, who added 17 points and three steals.
With Williams leaving, Larry will have the chance to lead the Lady Panthers, but her mindset Saturday was to send her senior teammates on a winning note.
“I want to win,” Larry said. “I was doing it for these seniors. I’ve been with (Mikaylah) since I was 3 or 4.
"She means everything to me.”
Parkway coach Gloria Williams also reminisced about coaching Mikaylah over the years. Gloria Williams lauded her senior standout for not only her 4 a.m. workouts, but for maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career.
“(LSU is) going to get a phenomenal player as a freshman,” Gloria Williams said. “I said that when she was a freshman (in high school) that she could compete will some of the college ladies then, but she’s developed now and become more mature.”
