BIRMINGHAM&045;Southside coach Matthews Williams slumped on the end of the bench.

The pain was etched on his face as well-wishers stopped to pat him on the back and congratulate his Lady Panthers on a remarkable season.

Williams barely seemed to notice.

That remarkable season had come to an abrupt halt in the Semi-Final round at the hands of a talented Deshler Lady Tigers team, 79-60.

For Southside, the end was ugly.

They fell behind by 20 in the third quarter, but rallied and cut the lead to 11 in the fourth. The Tigers were able to repel the lead.

After Deshler turned back a late rally, the Panthers were given two technical fouls as well as an intentional foul in the final three minutes of the game.

Before the bitter end, Southside played an exceptional first half.

Southside went toe-to-toe with the Lady Tigers, who

improved to 29-5.

Junior Tigers’ guard Maurielle Ingram agreed. &uot;I was a little frustrated at times,&uot; she said.

The teams went back and forth in the first period with Kimberly Broadnax and Andreaka Williams.

Deshler came out in a trapping press, but Southside was able to go over the top and get some quick buckets.

Deshler went on a run in the second quarter and pushed the lead into double digits.

But just before the half, A. Williams hit a three, then got a steal a layup and was fouled.

She missed the free throw but Southside went to the half down just five at 35-30.

With mounting foul trouble limiting their aggressiveness, Southside fell behind in the third as Deshler outscored them, 25-12.

The lead extended to 20, but with A. Williams leading the way, Southside rallied.

They cut the margin to 11, but Deshler was able to respond with a pair of quick buckets.

With several Lady Panthers in foul trouble, the team’s frustration was evident.

For the game, Southside was assessed 28 personal fouls to 19 for the Lady Tigers.

With under three minutes to play, A. Williams and Tigers star Blair Bowens got tangled up going for a loose ball.

After the two separated, Williams turned and threw the ball over her shoulder, nailing Bowens.

Williams was given a personal and a technical foul for her fourth and fifth fouls of the game.

Things got ugly after that.

The Southside bench picked up another technical and the Lady Panthers were given an intentional foul.

Deshler took advantage at the stripe and pulled away for the 19-point win.

A. Williams led all scorers with 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Broadnax added 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Makesha Towns added seven points for Southside.

Demetrice Shelton, Katricia Brown, Kendra Marzette and Shermanita Thigpen scored two points each in the losing effort.

For Deshler, Maurielle Ingram led with 25 points.

Bowens added 24 points.

Southside ends the season with a 22-8 record.