In a surprising outcome based on the season, the Centertown Lady Warriors took down the unbeaten Morrison Lady Eagles for the 7-8 County Basketball Championship by 1 point, 29-28, on Friday at WCHS.
For two years in a row, Centertown has come out on top in the tournament.
Centertown coach Kelly Eckenrod said, “Nothing but heart won that game.”
With :03 to go, the game was tied 28-28. Shelby Miller made one of her pressure-packed foul shots to give the Lady Warriors a 1-point lead, which would prove to be the winning margin.
Miller said, “It felt great. I was super nervous going out there though.”
Coach Eckenrod praised her players for their improvement on defense and their ability to keep Morrison scorers like Jayla Garibaldi in check.
Not undefeated like last year’s Lady Warriors, this year’s Centertown team came from behind to snatch the trophy from the previously undefeated Lady Eagles. Tournament MVP Kealey Simpson led the team with 11 points, going on a scoring roll in the third quarter.
Similar to their win against Eastside, Centertown owned the second half, specifically the fourth quarter. Morrison kept a consistent lead over Centertown in the first half with Harmoni Kennerly and Chloe Wanamaker making signature layups.
Wanamaker had a great showing in the third quarter and was the top scorer of the game with 14 points for the Lady Eagles. Going into the fourth quarter, Morrison was up 26-20.
With many turnovers due to great defense by both teams, the Lady Eagles found themselves unable to land a shot, leaving the door open for a Lady Warrior comeback win.
Kendra Fann took over in the post position for Centertown putting up a few to help secure the win. With :03 to go, the game was tied 28-28 when Miller made her foul shot.
With :03 left, Morrison attempted a shot for the win, but it wasn’t in the cards. Centertown fans exploded as the Lady Warriors finally stopped the Lady Eagle winning streak in the tournament championship, winning 29-28.
Eastside won the consolation game and placed third.
CENTERTOWN – Kealey Simpson 11, Allie Melton 9, Kendra Fann 4, Shelby Miller 3, Presley Bonner 2
MORRISON – Chloe Wanamaker 14, Harmoni Kennerly 7, Katrina Lusk 5, Jayla Garibaldi 2
