John Tyler's Tameal Jones (14) drives in strong past Sulphur Springs' Chrissalynd Person (24) in Class 5A bi-district playoff game Monday night at Lindale Gym.

LINDALE — John Tyler wasn’t going to let up off the gas this time.

Not in the playoffs. Not after last year.

The 15th-ranked Lady Lions scored 24 unanswered in the first quarter and never looked back to run past Sulphur Springs 81-35 in the Class 5A bi-district playoffs on Monday at Lindale High School.

John Tyler (30-4) will play Red Oak in the area round at 7 p.m. Friday at Forney High School.

A year after blowing a 16-point lead in an opening-round playoff loss, JT never slowed down, taking a 20-point lead by the end of the first quarter that never dipped into the teens.

The Lady Lions utilized a relentless press that forced 39 turnovers, 14 in the first quarter. The starters didn’t leave until the 4:08 mark in the fourth and newly promoted JV players began entering with about two minutes to play.

“We learned a lesson last year and we didn’t change anything,” JT coach Mike Smith said. “Sometimes you look up and you want to do something different but it’s the playoffs and you’ve got to keep doing what you do.”

Senior Amia Wickware led the Lady Lions with 23 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks, including 11 points in the first-quarter spree. JT fell behind 5-0 before Wickware hit a 3-pointer to spark the 24-0 run.

“It’s my senior year so I wanted to come out and play with everything I have,” Wickware said. “I know that any game could be my last playing in high school so I just wanted to play and give my team my all.”

Daieyshia Pruitt paced the Lady Cats (16-13) with 12 points while freshman Kaylee Jefferson scored nine of her 11 in the second quarter.

Sulphur Springs was playing without its top scorer Desi Debase (22 points per game) after she injured her knee in a 56-34 loss to JT in December. The Lady Lions led that game 33-28 entering the fourth quarter before pulling away.

John Tyler reached the 30-win mark for the first time since the A’Quonesia Franklin-led team won its first 34 games in 2003-04.

This year’s Lady Lions did it the way they’ve been doing it all year: high pressure defense leading to easy baskets. JT had 31 steals, including six from Ashtyn Beal (13 points, eight boards) and five from Destini Whitehead (seven points, eight boards).

The Lady Lions also held a 54-33 advantage on the glass, with sophomore Alyssa Mayfield turning in a double-double with 12 and 12. Senior Tameal Jones led JT with seven assists to go with eight points while Shakendra Tilley was the fourth Lady Lion in double figures scoring with 11.

“I’m proud of the kids,” Smith said of reaching 30 wins. “We’ve won some close games and played some really good people.

“I’m just excited about the next week. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

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District 16-5A Girls

No. 15 John Tyler 81, Sulphur Springs 35

John Tyler 26 18 14 23 — 81

Sulphur Springs 6 16 2 11 — 35

JOHN TYLER — Amia Wickware, 23; Kaleon Grant, 5; Alyssa Mayfield, 12; Destini Whitehead, 7; Kaleigh Hackett, 0; Tameal Jones, 8; Ashtyn Beal, 13; Shakendra Tilley, 11; Daz Johnson, 2; Shakala Johnson, 0; Sue Freeman, 0; Zee Jones, 0; Kandice Jackson, 0; Brea Staten, 0; Brea Criss, 0. FG: 27-82. FT: 22-35.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — Tori Moore, 7; Daieyshia Pruitt, 12; Lexie Moore, 1; Kasey Moore, 0; Imani Taylor, 0; Chrissalynd Person, 3; Destinee Weeks, 0; Kaylee Jefferson, 11; Jaye Daughtie, 0; Tahtihana King, 0; Sheretta Hill, 1. FG: 11-41. FT: 10-24.

THREE POINT GOALS — JT (5-23): Wickware (2), Jones, Beal (2); SS (2-8): Pruitt, Person. REBOUNDS — JT 54 (Mayfield 11); SS 33 (Hill 8). STEALS — JT 31 (Beal 6); SS 8 (Weeks 3). ASSISTS — JT 31 (Jones 7); SS 3 (Pruitt 2). BLOCKS — JT 5 (Wickware 2); SS 3 (Hill 2). FOULS — JT 24; SS 24. TURNOVERS — JT 21; SS 39.

RECORDS — John Tyler 30-4; Sulphur Springs 16-13.

NEXT UP — John Tyler vs. Red Oak, 7 p.m. Friday, Forney High School.