Eighth-grade night at Boyd Christian School brought some challenges for the Boyd Lady Broncos, but they handled it well with a winning spirit.
Missing playmaker Erica Cantrell, who has been out with injury, Boyd Christian came within one point of overcoming the odds and taking the win over guests Irving College. The win would have to wait. In a barn-burner, Irving College took home the 1-point win, 40-39, on Tuesday night.
Cantrell, who scored 22 points against Centertown in the last game before her injury, did manage to get on the hardwood for prosperity sake, coming in for one play.
“Another heartbreaking 1-point loss to Irving College,” said Boyd Christian coach Allison Stiles. “It was our eighth-grade night. One of our eighth-grade students, Erica Cantrell, tore her ACL in last week’s game against Dibrell in the first quarter and hasn’t been able to play since then. We started her last night since it was eighth-grade night, then took her back out after the jump ball.”
“Playing our last four games without her was very challenging and a huge adjustment for our team,” Stiles added. “I am so proud of how girls adjusted to the change and kept working hard through.”
The extra point or two the Lady Broncos needed could have come from the foul line, as they left a few on the table going 5-of-12 for 42 percent. Irving College made Boyd pay as the Lady Tigers shot 9-of-13 for 69 percent of their charity stripe conversions.
The one extra trey the Lady Tigers dealt out, having three 3-pointers compared to the Lady Broncos two long-distance 3-pointers could also be the decider, but the easy points would have come from the foul line.
Alaina Stiles made two of the 3-pointers for Boyd Christian School with a game-high total of 14 points with Breanna Jones just behind with 12.
Other Lady Broncos to join the offensive scoring were Abby Blanton with 6 points, Sydney Burger 3 and Anna Jones and Bella Stiles both hit for 2 points.
Irving College’s offense was topped by Ella Bond who scored 13 points, Mia Hobbs added 11, Breezy Wanamaker and Ashlyn Fults 7 apiece, while Kristen Turner was good for 2 points.
Boyd faces Centertown in round one of the Warren County 7-8 grade tournament at 4:30 p.m., Jan. 30, at Warren County High School. Irving College will play Eastside beginning at 7 p.m.