By TAYLOR MITCHELL
Sports Editor

Today, the Lady Raiders of Benton Academy begin competition for the north half state championship in Cleveland as the second place team from district 4A. However, the path to the championship is not an easy one.
Benton begins play at Delta State’s University Field against Lee (Ark.) Academy, the first place team from district 1A. Other first round match ups include five-time state champion and host school Bayou Academy (2A, first place) against Hebron Christian (3A, second place), Tri-County (4A) versus Delta Academy (1A) and Winona Christian School (3A) against Deer Creek School (2A).
“Honestly, I feel good about our chances,” Lady Raiders head coach Brent Woods said Thursday afternoon after the bracket was released earlier that morning. “We lost to Tri-County by one run and we should have won that game. Them and Bayou will be tough competition. I think the neutral site will be in our favor though.”
Should Benton win its first game of the double-elimination tournament, the Lady Raiders will face either Bayou or Hebron Christian. Bayou has been dominant in recent years against north half competition, but to beat them will require playing the same mistake-free game the Lady Colts play.-------for the rest of the story see The Yazoo Herald printed edition or subscribe to the Digital Edition.----------