By PATRICK CASEY
The Walton Lady Braves picked up an important win on Dec. 13 as they defeated Panama City Bay 55-45 in a District 1, Class 3A contest.
Walton used the long distance shooting of Gillian Infinger and Caretha Paul to earn a 13-13 tie with the Tornadoes after one period of play as the athletic squad from Bay County attacked the Braves on the interior.
Sierra Contreras and Taliah Moore got the hot hand in the second quarter as they scored six points apiece while the Braves defense clamped down on the Tornadoes offense to build a 25-17 halftime lead.
Walton pushed the lead to 40-26 after three quarters of play as a pair of technical fouls on Nefertiti Robinson helped the Braves add points at the free throw line to lengthen the lead.
The Tornadoes rallied in the fourth quarter as Walton got sloppy with the basketball and gave away possessions while Bay center A-Keelah Jackson attacked the post to the tune of 20 points on the night to cut the deficit to six points with two minutes to play.
Walton rallied for a pair of baskets to end the threat and take the win. Walton improved to 6-0 in district play as Infinger and Moore led the charge with 16 points each.
The Braves lost their last game before Christmas on Thursday night as PDL posted another victory over Walton to sweep the season series with a 53-34 decision.