WBB: Lady Riders stay in playoff hunt
during action Tuesday night in Roughrider Gymnasium. Cleveland
scored four points Friday vs. Jasper. (Photo by Ray Jackson)
Lady Rider Lacie Evans produced a double-double Friday night, scoring 10 points and pulling down 10 boards as she helped the Center Lady Riders keep their postseason hopes alive with a 42-37 victory over Jasper in Roughrider Gymnasium.
Lakia Shepherd was also a key player for Center, which improved to 11-9 on the year and 2-4 against District 18-3A competition. The senior guard led all scorers with 18 points, pulling down five rebounds and picking up three steals.
"It was a really great effort tonight," said CHS head coach Tracy Kincade said after the win. "It was so good to get a win and stay in the hunt for the playoffs. The girls showed tons of heart with their defense and desire.
"We also helped ourselves by shooting 75% (12-of-16) from the free throw line.
"Kia (Shepherd) continues to be a solid scorer for us all year long and Lacie (Evans)is going to be a special player if she continues to grow and develop."
In addition to her scoring and board work, Evans picked up three steals and blocked one shot. Ashley Sigler scored five points, three boards and a pair of steals. She was also 5-of-6 from the line and led the defensive effort for CHS.
Kemi Cleveland scored four points and recorded a pair of steals, and Requanna Patton scored two points and grabbed a rebound.
The game was tied 14-14 at the end of the first period, but it was the Lady Riders that grabbed a slim 22-20 lead at the halftime break.
The Lady Riders kept the momentum in the third quarter, inching out to a 29-26 lead and they held off the Lady Bulldogs in the fourth quarter for the five-point win.
In District 18-3A games scheduled for Friday, Center will travel to Hudson, while Central hosts Huntington and Diboll is at Kirbyville.