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By BRANDON SUMRALL/ Special to the Advertiser

The Thorsby Lady Rebels advanced to the Regional Round of this year’s AHSAA 2A State Basketball Playoffs after surviving a late game comeback to pick up a thrilling 48-47 win at home over the Calhoun County Tigers on Feb. 15.

The Rebels shot the lights out during the first period as Cameron Lockhart, Carlee Wyatt and Lindsey Wood combined for four consecutive three-point baskets that would propel the Rebels to an early four-point lead. Five more from Wyatt gave the Rebels a nine-point lead, while seven from Makinley Turner brought a close to the first period with Thorsby leading 24-10.

Four points from Terelesa McCray to start the second period cut the Thorsby lead to 10 while another three from Lockhart pushed back out in front by 13. Baskets from Candace Brown and McCray cut the lead back to 10 while five straight from Wyatt late in the period sent the game to the halftime break with Thorsby leading 33-20.

A Calhoun comeback began with the start of the third period as baskets from McCray cut the Thorsby lead to 10 while Candace Brown added another to cut the lead to eight. With a three from Amber Smith late in the period, the Thorsby lead shrank to six but with baskets from Wyatt and Rachel Ray, the Rebels took a 41-33 lead to the final period of play.

A basket from Jocelyn McCall cut the lead to six, while two more from the line later by McCall cut the lead to four still early in the final period. With 4:22 remaining, a basket from Brown cut the lead to two while another basket from McCray made the game a 45-all tie with 3:04 remaining. With 2:54 on the clock, a three from Wood gave Thorsby a three-point lead, but a basket by McCray with 0:48 to play cut the Rebel lead to one. A late turnover by Thorsby allowed one last shot by the Tigers, but it would be the Rebel defense rising to the occasion to secure a 48-47 victory.

Wyatt led the way for Thorsby with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and a pair of steals while McCray led the Tigers with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 steals.

The Lady Rebels will face the winner of a matchup between St. Lukes and Clarke County in the Regional Round later this week