Quest begins for WCEBA crowns-Centertown girls slip by Lady Tigers

By ROB NUNLEY

The 2008 Warren County Elementary Basketball Association tournament began with a thriller Monday night, as Centertown battled its way back to clip Irving College’s girls, 29-28, at the Charlie Dalton Gym.

With Annie Jones’ eight points leading the way, the Lady Warriors bounced back from a 16-9 halftime deficit, giving up just one basket in the third quarter as they trimmed the gap to 18-15 entering the fourth.

Centertown spent much of its time at the free-throw line over the final six minutes, hitting just four of its 12 attempts over the first three minutes of the quarter. But Jones put back her own missed free throw for two points, and Lacie Varner came through with back-to-back baskets, stealing an Irving College inbounds pass and scoring with 3:50 to play to put her team on top for the first time in the game.

Irving College tried to right its ship, re-taking the lead at 28-25 when Lolita Terrazas scored with 1:33 to play, but another steal and a basket, this time from Centertown’s McKenzie Vickers, cut the lead to one and Jones added a pair of free throws which would prove to be the game-winning shots.

Irving College had two more chances, but was called for a double-dribble with 12 seconds to play and Becca Smith’s final shot was off the mark.

Smith led the Lady Tigers with a seven-point night, while Terrazas had six. Lacey Bess, Cheyenne Cobb and Victoria Warner scored four each.

In addition to Jones’ eight points, Vickers finished with seven while Varner had six.

The Lady Warriors will take on top-seeded Dibrell Thursday at 6:30, with the winner advancing to the finals, where they will face Morrison.