The Dodd City Lady Hornets earned the right to take another step deeper into the playoffs with a 10-point win over the Perrin-Whitt Lady Pirates in the area round.

Competition is intense at this point of the playoffs. The Lady Pirates challenged the Lady Hornets in the opening period, but Dodd City answered with an impressive rally.

At the end of the first quarter, Perrin-Whitt had a 13-8 lead. With their season on the line, Dodd City would go on to outscore Perrin-Whitt 27-9 in the next two periods. 

In the pivotal second quarter, Dodd City sophomore Gracyn Shindler put up seven points to ignite a 9-2 run that gave her Lady Hornets a 17-15 advantage at halftime.

Dodd City senior Addison Weeks took over in the third period, knocking down nine points to give the Lady Hornets a 35-22 cushion heading into the fourth quarter.

Perrin-Whitt had a slight 10-7 scoring advantage in the final frame, but once again Dodd City withstood the challenge and posted a 42-32 victory to advance to the regional semifinals.

Addison Weeks and Gracyn Shindler both finished with 14 points to pace the Dodd City offense. Weeks led the Lady Hornets in rebounds (8) and steals (6). Shindler had five steals and four rebounds.

Kodi Dorau was a force in the paint as the freshman put up eight points and pulled down five rebounds.

Kayleigh McBrayer played an important role with four points and six deflections that led to steals.

Kendyl Lindsey had a well-rounded performance with two points, a pair of rebounds, two assists, three deflections and two steals.

Kennedy Chaney had one deflection.

Dodd City, the top seed out of District 19-A, advances to the regional semifinals where the Lady Hornets will face May, the champions of District 21A.