Lady Lions Fall to Lady Tigers in Regional Semis

Centerville Takes Down Lovelady, 45-31

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

JEWETT – The Lovelady Lady Lions and Centerville Lady Tigers met for the fourth time this season in the Regional Quarterfinals. The Lady Lions held a two games to one edge, but with a trip to the Regional Finals on the line, the head-to-head advantage was meaningless.

Unfortunately, in the fourth game between the two teams, the Lady Lions opened the game ice-cold from the field and were never able to catch up to the Lady Tigers as they fell by a final score of 45-31.

The Lady Lions couldn’t seem to buy a basket I n the game’s opening minutes as they only mustered three points on a two from Hannah Burleson and a free throw from Madelyn James.

The Lady Tigers, meanwhile, dropped 15 on Lovelady to take a 15-3 lead after the first quarter. Tara Goolsby and Sara Stutzman both scored six for Centerville, while Brittany West added three.

The second quarter wasn’t much better for Lovelady as the team only managed five points. Burleson and Skye Watts dropped in two apiece while Kaiden LeMaire hit one of two from the line.

The Lady Lions managed to slow down the Lady Tigers in the second period and held them to seven on six from West and one from Raylynn Brewer.

Trailing by a score of 22-8 at halftime, the Lady Lions began to chip away at the Centerville lead after the break. Lovelady cut the lead to single digits at one point in the third before settling for a score of 29-18 with eight minutes remaining in the contest.

LeMaire had five points to pace Lovelady as Watts had three and Burleson had six.

Centerville’s points came from West with three while both Goolsby and Stutzman had two.

Try as they might, the Lady Lions were unable to overcome the 11 point fourth quarter deficit and fell by a final score of 45-31. Watts dropped in six for Lovelady, Jala Rollo had four and Heather Elliott dropped in a three point bomb to close out the Lady Lions’ point production.

For the game, Centerville was led in scoring by Brittany West and Sara Stutzman with 12 apiece. Tara Goolsby added 10 while Raylynn Brewer had eight and Averi Hancock went for three.

Lovelady was led in scoring by Skye Watts with 11 points. Hannah Burleson and Kaiden LeMaire both knocked down six apiece, Jala Rollo had four, Heather Elliott hit a three-pointer and Madelyn James had one to close out the Lady Lions point production.

The Lady Lions ended their season as Area Champions with a record of 28-11. After the game, Head Coach Jeff Rollo commented, “I’m very proud of the team. They’re an exceptional group of young ladies. Although, the outcome of the last game is not what we envisioned, it was a good season. It is an honor and privilege for me to be able to coach them. We look to build on the success of this season.”

PHOTOS BY MIKE WHATLEY

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].