The battle for the second and third playoff spots in District 18-3A continues to appear as if it's coming down to the wire. With the Diboll Ladyjacks having already sewn up the league title, Huntington, Central, Hudson and Center are exchanging blows like heavyweight fighters as they try to secure one of the two remaining postseason bids.
Center could have taken a big step toward doing that on Friday, but came up short on the road against Huntington, falling 54-37.
The setback leaves Center with a 13-11 season mark, but more importantly a 4-6 record against district opponents and in fifth place in the league heading into Tuesday night's open date. Center has two games left, traveling to Diboll on Friday before visiting Jasper in the regular season finale next Tuesday and trails third-place teams Central and Hudson by one-half game.
Diboll (21-6) has secured the District 18-3A championship with an 11-0 mark, while Huntington sits 4.5 games back at 6-4 and in control of its own destiny. Central (16-13) was 4-5 in league play heading into Tuesday night's game at Jasper, while Hudson stands at 5-6 after being upset by Kirbyville, 42-39, on Tuesday. The Lady Hornets and Lady Bulldogs still lead Center by one-half game.
Kirbyville is currently 3-7 in district and Jasper was 2-7 heading into Tuesday's game with Central.
Two Lady Riders scored in double figures against Huntington, with Lakia Shepherd and Kemi Cleveland each knocking down 10 points. Lacie Evans and Requanna Patton each chipped in three points and Ashley Sigler and Cassie Bush dropped in two points apiece.
"I told my girls before the game that it's a huge game and that Center hasn't been to the playoffs (in girls basketball) since the early '90s," said Lady Rider first-year head coach Tracy Kincade. "None of the players have ever been in this situation before [battling for a playoff spot] and they admitted there was some pressure on them. But I'm proud of them as we still can get in."
Cleveland and Bush each pulled down seven boards to pace Center, with Evans adding six and Sigler tallying two. Bush, Evans and Sigler had two steals apiece, with Cleveland adding one. Evans blocked one shot.
"Kemi played a very good game," Kincade stated. "But Huntington controlled the tempo and we turned the ball over way too many times. We got into a big hole in the first half, but played better in the second half and cut their lead down to six. But Huntington is going to the playoffs for a reason; give them credit. They made free throws and big shots to extend the lead back out in the last three minutes of the game."
Huntington posted a 14-8 lead at the end of the opening stanza and then held the Lady Riders to just two points in the second period to move out to a 24-10 lead.
Center began cutting into the deficit in the third quarter, finishing the third period down 34-22. But the Devilettes were able to pull away in the final period, outscoring Center 20-15.