The Ragland Lady Purple Devils are headed back to the Northeast Regional Tournament on the campus of Jacksonville State University for the third year in a row.

With a convincing 61-34 victory over Holy Family last week, Ragland is hoping this is the year they can advance all the way to Birmingham and The Final Four.

Coach Rush Rutledge’s girls were ready for Holy Family and took charge from the beginning. They were up 18-8 after the first quarter and 37-19 at halftime.

The second half was much like the first half as Ragland increased its lead to 53-30 after three quarters of play and went on to win with ease 61-34.

“We played well,” Rutledge said. “We had a good week of practice and everyone stepped up.”

Ragland, now 19-11 overall, will enter regional play with yet another starter injured. Madison Oliver is out for the year with an injury and last year at the regional tournament, it was Paige Gann unable to play with an injury.

“We have to go on and move forward, play hard and get after it,” Rutledge said.

Leading the Lady Purple Devils was Gann with 21 points. Kailey Echols pumped in 11 points while Emily Church and JJ Looney added 8 points each. Brooke Evans scored 4 points while Reagan Campbell netted 3 points. Leah Byers, Kia Lindsey and Darian Forman all scored 2 points each.

The Lady Purple Devils played Gaston this past Tuesday at 3 p.m.