Peabody moves on to Class 4A title after win against Woodlawn

LAKE CHARLES — Peabody coach Charles Smith did not want a repeat of last year's semifinal game, so his team practiced specifically on free throws and rebounding.

Mission accomplished.

The Warhorses advanced to the Class 4A championship game after defeating Woodlawn of Shreveport, 66-59, at Burton Coliseum Thursday.

RELATED: Trojans advance to Class 5A finals thanks to hot shooting against Hahnville

"Tonight, some things went wrong for us at the end, but I knew that these guys wouldn't quit or give up. I knew their hurt was in the right place, I knew it was just a matter of time before they settled down and find out what they need to do to win this game."

Peabody seniors Melvion Flanagan (23 points and seven rebounds) and Thomas Miles (19 points and eight rebounds) helped with the scoring punch, but it was the rebounding of fellow senior Andrew Pearson that pushed it over the edge.

Pearson posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds to help the Warhorses earn a 42-31 rebounding advantage.

"Coach wants me to get rebounds and help my team win," Pearson said. "If I don't rebound, I'm helping the other team win. I have to focus on rebounding. The points just come second."

Peabody (34-3) led by as much as 18 midway through the third quarter, but the Knights started to make a run late thanks to junior Delatrion Moton.

Woodlawn (25-9) cut it to single digits as Moton scored 19 points and had nine rebounds, but the Warhorse defense held serve.

"The fact that we were here, we were fortunate and blessed enough to be here," Knights coach Kenneth Goldman said. "We weren’t even supposed to win our district. During our 11-game winning streak, our defense was superb."

Peabody will play Breaux Bridge for the Class 4A title at 8 p.m. Saturday.