WBB: Lady Riders strike down Central, 49-44
a Central player for a rebound during Tuesday night's game in
Roughrider Gymnasium. (Photo by Ray Jackson)
CENTER, Tx - After stumbling out of the gate to start district play with a 2-5 record, the Center Lady Riders got a big win Tuesday night here in Roughrider Gymnasium, topping the Central Lady Bulldogs, 49-44, to jump back in the hunt for a playoff spot.
The win was especially sweet for Center fans, as they had been beaten twice this season by the Lady 'Dogs by 20 or more points. Additionally, it was the last home game for Center seniors Requanna 'Pookie' Patton, Kemi Cleveland, and Lakia Shepherd, who were recognized in a pre-game ceremony along with injured fellow senior Charmaine Behring.
The Lady Riders received more good news on Thursday when they were told that they picked up a forfeit win from Hudson. According to Lady Rider head coach Tracy Kincade the Hornets had played an ineligible player in the contest. Hudson won the game on the scoreboard, 59-56, but Center was given the win, improving CHS (13-10) to 4-5 against the district competition.
With the forfeit, Center moves into a fourth-place tie with Hudson in the league race, just one-half game behind third place Central (16-12, 4-4). Diboll (19-6) continues to lead the District 18-3A chase with a spotless 9-0 record, followed by Huntington in second place at 5-3, 3.5 games off the pace. Jasper is 2-6 in district and Kirbyville is 2-7.
All three seniors had big nights against Central and Patton got it started with a three-pointer to knot the score at 5-5 at the end of the first quarter. The Lady 'Dogs used their size advantage to the fullest, as post player Katelyn Boles powered her way to 11 first-half points to push the lead to 16-11 at the halftime break.
The second half belonged to the Lady Riders, however, as they took advantage of their superior speed to press their guests into 10 second-half turnovers, which they converted into points to outscore the Lady 'Dogs 23-12 in the third period to lead 34-28 going into the final quarter.
They then slowed things down with a more deliberate half-court offense and a man-to-man defense that forced Central to work for every point while using up the clock.
Fourth-year varsity player Kia Shepherd led the way, scoring 21 points while pulling down 10 rebounds and snatching three steals. She also led the Lady 'Riders at the free-throw stripe, hitting 5-of-6.
Fellow senior Kemi Cleveland also came up big, scoring 11 points to go with five rebounds. Junior guard Ashley Sigler scored six points, grabbed seven rebounds and four steals, while dishing out five assists. Sophomore post Cassie Bush added six points and four rebounds and classmate Lacy Evans pulled down sixteen boards, while scoring two points.
Kincade said was proud of his seniors, who were playing their final home contest.
"Kia and Kemi both played their hearts out tonight," the first-year coach stated. "We talked about it before the game, that they really needed to leave it all out there because they'll never get to play in this gym again. They won the first home game of their senior year and now they've won the last one."
He also commented on the playoff situation.
"We are kind of on the outside looking in. It's not something we really talk about, because other than winning out, there's not a lot we can do about it. The forfeit win is huge. It puts us just one-half game behind Central, so really we're just focusing on these last three road games, trying to take them one at a time.
"We'll let the playoff picture work itself out."
Center will visit Huntington on Friday, making the matchup with the Devilettes a must-win game for the Lady 'Riders. The junior varsity girls game will tip off at 5 p.m. in Huntington, with the varsity girls playing immediately after.