WBB: Lady Bears hold off Lady Bobcats, 42-35
Katelyn Cockrell during earlier season action. The Lady Bears still
have their playoff destination in their own hands at the midway
point of league play. (Photo by John Krueger)
TIMPSON, Tx -- Any of the teams in the District 22-1A girls' basketball race that are looking to nail down one of the three playoff berths are going to have to deal with the Timpson Lady Bears sooner or later.
While currently sitting on the 'outside' of the playoff picture and looking 'in' at the midway point of the regular season league run, the Lady Bears can control their own destiny if they can pick up a few key wins in the coming two weeks. They got one of those wins Friday night here in John Herbert Eakin Gymnasium, knocking off one of their chief rivals, the Gary Lady Bobcats, 42-35.
After a back-and-forth first half that left Timpson leading by a basket at the break, the Lady Bears pitched a shutout in the third period, holding their guests scoreless, while pouring in 12 points of their own. They then used a ball-control strategy in the final period to hold off a comeback attempt by the Lady Bobcats.
The Lady Bears got a couple of outstanding efforts in the contest, led by guard Jakelia Caraway. The junior led all scorers with 26 points, most of which came on fast-break mismatches after steals created by Timpson's half-court trap defense. Caraway notched four of those steals herself.
Post player Tammi Harris pulled down a game-high 20 rebounds, nine of which were on the defensive boards, to go with her seven points. Point guard Rachel Reeves made 3-of-4 free throws to finish with five points while grabbing two steals and dishing out four assists. Harley Martin added four points and three assists. LaToya Cartwright pulled down 10 rebounds.
Timpson head coach Keith Prather was excited after the win.
"Our girls just keep working hard and doing what we ask them to do," Prather stated. "Gary's girls are tough. They don't have the record to show it, but they are scrappy and if you ever let them get hot they've got some kids who can shoot.
"We played good defense and kept them out of their game plan, especially in the third quarter. To hold them scoreless for a full quarter is something to be proud of."
Prather is aware that his team faces an uphill battle, but believes a playoff berth is a reasonable goal.
"This district is wide open. Tenaha is definitely the team to beat, but after that its really close. We know we can play with the other four."
The Lady Bobcats were led junior post Chelsea Powdrill, who scored nine points to go with seven rebounds. Guards Brittany Odom and Riley Beckham added eight points apiece and Collyn Pinkerton tossed in four. The Lady Bobcats did outshoot Timpson at the charity stripe, hitting 9-of-12 (75%), compared to 10-of-23 (43%) for the Lady Bears.
In other District 22-1A results on Friday, Beckville knocked off Garrison, 44-38, and Tenaha edged Shelbyville in overtime, 47-41.
The Lady Bears have a huge home game Tuesday night, when they host arch-rival Garrison. The Lady Bulldogs currently sit third place in District 22-1A D-I, two games back of league leading Tenaha (13-11, 5-0 district), at 3-2. The Lady Bears are one game behind Garrison at 2-3, (6-11 for the season) with the difference being the Lady 'Dogs' 39-24 win over Timpson at the Dawg Pound on Jan. 6. A win by the Lady Bears would put the neighbors tied for third place.
The Lady Bobcats will try to turn their season around on the road Tuesday night when they travel to Shelbyville for another district matchup. The Lady Bobcats are 3-10 for the year, 0-5 in district play.
In the other game on Tuesday, Tenaha will travel to Beckville (12-12, 4-1 district) with first place in district on the line.