The tension was palpable in the Irving College gym as the undefeated Eastside Lady Bulldogs took the court against the Centertown Lady Warriors on Thursday night. Only one of the two teams would be the 5-6 grade champions.
Things looked bleak for the Lady Warriors as after three quarters, they found themselves in a 29-18 deficit against a tough offense not known to lose an 11-point advantage.
The contest got a lot closer in the fourth quarter, as three of the top offensive weapons for the Lady Bulldogs fouled out after throwing 27 shots from the charity stripe Centertown’s way.
Unfortunately, the Lady Warriors only partially capitalized on the opportunity bringing the game within 6 points, a lead the Lady Bulldogs could hold, along with their title, 34-27.
One of the constants in Eastside’s success this year is the ease of which the offense plays together like a well-oiled machine. Quarterbacked by Shelby Smartt, the Lady Bulldog offense always has a game plan and it’s well executed with minimal turnovers or miscues.
“I would have never believed we could have come together and do as well as we have. I am really happy for the girls, they stuck with it,” said Eastside coach Tonya Crawford. “It’s an indescribable feeling really.”
The Lady Bulldogs lost Sable Winfree (MVP), Shelby Smartt (all tournament) and Savannah Winfree (all tournament) by the time the fourth quarter stood with five minutes left to play. It was now or never for Centertown to make the most of some key players being off the court.
Alas, it wasn’t to be for the Lady Warriors as they hit for 11-of-27 foul shots for 41 percent and had trouble getting their synchronicity back in tune late in the game as they tried to work inside.
Eastside fared worse from the charity stripe, but its fate wasn’t hanging in the balance as the Lady Bulldogs shot 3-of-17, or 18 percent.
The Lady Warriors gave it their all and outscored the Lady Bulldogs in fourth-quarter action, 9-5, but it was shy of the 7 extra points needed to at least tie the ballgame.
Madison Johnson (all tournament) was top playmaker on the Lady Warriors scoring 10 points in the game. Krista Chisam (all tournament) wasn’t far behind with 6 points, Alyssa Mosley 4, Jaylie Sheehan, Addison Johnson and Liberty Simmons scored 2 points apiece and Kennedi Pegg shot for 1 point.
“They did what I wanted them to do and played with real heart,” said Kelly Eckenrod, Centertown coach. “It’s my fault I didn’t get them settled down more. This is a great team. Both teams played like champions. It’s the greatest game in the world”
Emeri Cummings (all tournament) had a game-high 12 points for Eastside, followed by Smartt with 10, Savannah Winfree 6, Dallas Melton 4 and Emma Cordell scored 2 points.