The game that kicked off the 5-6 elementary preseason tournament held this year at Centertown was the closest game of the evening.
The Lady Warriors from Centertown versus the Lady Bulldogs from Eastside went into the game as fourth and fifth seeds and neither team had anything to lose.
The Lady Bulldogs fought back in the second half to claim a 27-26 win over the Lady Warriors.
Eastside looked doomed after the team only scored a single point on a free throw by Shelby Smartt in the second quarter. The Lady Bulldogs outscored their opponent 21 to 12 in the second half and it was enough to propel the Lady Bulldogs to the victory.
The third quarter was the difference in the game. The Lady Bulldogs outshined and outscored their opponent 13-4 in the third quarter and led by a single point to start the fourth quarter, 19-18.
The Lady Bulldogs sank their teeth into the Lady Warrior offense. Four points was all Centertown could get right after the halftime break. Bella Bain and Liberty Simmons each had two points for Centertown.
Shelby Smartt unloaded seven of her 16 points in the third quarter for Eastside as the Lady Bulldogs claimed the lead with only one quarter to play.
Each team traded baskets in the final period and both teams finished the fourth quarter with eight points. Centertown was led by Katy Mae Cantrell with four, and Jaylie Shehane and Bain with two points each.
It was all Smartt in the fourth quarter and the Lady Warriors did not have any answer. Smartt added seven more points in the final quarter. Emeri Cummings sank one of two free throws for Eastside. Trading points in the final quarter would not benefit the Lady Warriors and the Lady Bulldogs ran away with the 27-26 victory in the first round.
The first half was all Centertown and Jayden Smartt dropped in all 10 of her points in the first half. Shehane and Cantrell added two points each. The game was almost a complete turnaround in the second half and the Lady Bulldogs left Centertown with a win.
LADY BULLDOG SCORING – Shelby Smartt 16, Emeri Cummings 7, Madelynn Powers 2, and Sarah Grace Vinson 2
LADY WARRIOR SCORING – Jayden Smartt 10, Katy Mae Cantrell 8, Jaylie Shehane 4, and Bella Bain 4