State tournament semifinals uncharted territory for Biloxi Lady Indians

Prior to Saturday, the Biloxi girls basketball team hadn’t been to the state tournament in Jackson in more than three decades, but that wasn’t enough for the Lady Indians.
Not satisfied with just getting to the Big House, Big Red won its quarterfinal matchup, a 66-53 triumph over Tupelo. Now it’s onto the semis, with undefeated Starkville on the other side of the bracket, as the only school from the Gulf Coast remaining in the playoffs.
All year long the Lady Indians have assumed the role of the underdog, starting back in August with a vision from first-year head coach Devin Hill, one that’s now coming to life. Biloxi point guard Bre Riley said, “People didn’t think that we were going to make it this far. They were talking about that we weren’t going to be nothing, that we were going to lose district and everything, but we proved them wrong. I mean we fought and never gave up.”
“I think the biggest motivation for us is that what we’re saying is going to happen is actually happening. You know, if you’ll work this hard then this is a possibility. And for it to actually take place after they’ve worked hard, so seeing is believing, so to say, and we’re reaping the benefits of hard work. If that does not excite you, then you’re probably doing the wrong thing. You’re playing in the Big House and we’ll be satisfied with the results if we give everything that we have,” said Hill.
Coach Hill says he’s challenging the Biloxi faithful to paint the Big House red when the Lady Indians and 30-0 Starkville tips things off at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.