Delta Charter School coach Ron Ellis said earlier this week his squad would have to come out focused and play with grit if it was to beat Kentwood in the Bi-district round of the Class 1A LHSAA playoffs.

On Thursday night, the Lady Storm demonstrated their true mettle.

Fourteenth-seed DCS held No. 19 Kentwood to just three points in the final five minutes to give the program its first playoff win in school history in front of a raucous home crowd, 63-44.

“I told them that we had to play defense,” Ellis said. “If we slowed down (Kentwood’s Jalearia Hill), we’d be good. We had to make them take tough shots.  This is super exciting. First time in the LHSAA (playoffs) and first time with a win. You can’t ask for anything better. We played a total team game.”

Delta Charter’s fourth-quarter spurt was highlighted by a 90-second 10-0 run, in which the Lady Storm broke open what was a close 48-41 contest.

DCS (15-16) received standout performances on both ends of the floor. Sydney Watts was limited to just one point offensively but made her presence felt on the opposite end with 15 defensive rebounds and 10 blocked shots. She finished with 16 total rebounds.

“Watts is going to rebound,” Ellis said. “She rebounded like a beast. Last year she was doing this every game. She’s been slacking, and I told her that it’s time for her to step up, and she did what I asked her to do. She had a monster game.”

Offensively, the Lady Storm leaned on the dynamic 1-2 punch of backcourt teammates Kiaci Parker and Kierra Neal, who scored 25 and 15 points, respectively. Cloi Cummings also tallied 16 points down low to help balance the scoring.

“People come out and try to play a box-and-1, and I tell the other get going,” Ellis said. “If those two are clicking and playing well together, it’s going to be hard to stop us, and then Cloi banging down low.”

Hill ended with a team-high 17 points for Kentwood.

Delta Charter made six 3-pointers to Kentwood’s three, in addition to connecting on 14 of 19 free throws.

Kentwood led early in the first, 7-3, but once Delta Charter took went ahead minutes later, it never relinquished the advantage.

DCS led at halftime 23-18.

Delta Charter advances to the regional round of the LHSAA playoffs Monday when it travels to face No. 3 Gueydan. The Lady Bears defeated Delhi Charter 48-20 Thursday.

“We can savor this win and have fun tonight, but we have to take care of business Monday.” Ellis said.