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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Troup Lady Tigers are hoping history repeats itself.

A year ago, Troup shrugged off a loss in the region-championship game to make a run at state before losing to Americus-Sumter in the Class AAAA state-championship game.

Flash forward a year, and Troup is once heading to state after a disappointing result in the region-title game.

Facing Carver in a rematch of a state semifinal from last season, Troup fought back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to get within one before losing 53-48.

It wasn’t the outcome the Lady Tigers were hoping for, but they’ve turned the page and are ready for what they hope will be another memorable state tournament.

“Hopefully this will give them motivation like it did last year,” said Troup head coach Carla Thornton.

It’s a veteran team, with nearly every key contributor back from last year’s state runner-up. Aniya Palmer, Monyia Murphy, Darnesheyuna McCullough, Samarria Weldon, Jada Green and Alexcia Murphy all played significant minutes last season.

Freshman Angie Dowdell has provided a lift and has been among the leading scorers, and senior Emelie Reed has played some valuable minutes as well.

Troup will begin its state run on Wednesday with a home game against New Hampstead, which finished third in Region 3-AAAA.

If Troup wins, its second-round opponent would be Bainbridge of Baldwin County.

There are 32 teams in the state tournament, and Troup needs to win four games to return to the state-championship game.

“We were talking, this is the third quarter (of the season), this is the region tournament,” Thornton said. “Now it’s the fourth quarter. It’s the state tournament. It’s win or go home. It’s how bad do you want it.”

TROUP VS. NEW HAMPSTEAD

WHAT: First round of Class AAAA state tournament

WHEN: Wednesday, 6 p.m.

WHERE: Troup High

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Troup finished second in Region 2-AAAA; New Hampstead finished third in Region 3-AAAA

UP NEXT: The winner will face either Bainbridge or Baldwin County in the second round