District 3-1A Basketball Tournament Roundup – February 11, 2019
By Terry Futrell
The District 3-1A Girls Basketball Tournament kicked off with three games on tap. There were no surprises as the three higher seeded teams – Coalfield, Oliver Springs, and Wartburg – each scored first-round victories.
Coalfield Lady Jackets Come from Behind to Defeat Oakdale in Overtime 52-49
In the only game that provided suspense in the opening round, the six-seed Coalfield Lady Jackets defeated the seven-seed Oakdale Lady Eagles 52-49 in overtime. It was an upset in the making as the Lady Eagles led throughout the first three quarters. Oakdale took a 13-8 first quarter lead, forged ahead to a 24-16 halftime lead, and had the Lady Jackets down 35-22 after three quarters. The Lady Jackets then came back, crushing Oakdale 23-10 in the fourth quarter, ending regulation play in a 45-45 tie. Coalfield then outscored Oakdale 7-4 in overtime to claim the victory.
It was not a pretty game as 53 personal fouls were called and 67 free throws were shot in the game. Three of Oakdale’s starters fouled out, which almost certainly affected the outcome of the game. Coalfield only lost one starter to fouls. The Lady Eagles shot only 48% from the free throw line, while Coalfield shot 61%. From the floor, Oakdale had 16 baskets compared to Coalfield’s 12 baskets.
Coalfield was led by Brooklyn Seiber with 21 points, and Gabby Lowe added 11 points for the Lady Jackets. Ivey Tilson led Oakdale with 15 points. Victoria Jones scored 11 points, and in her return from injury, Amelia Miller contributed 10 points for Oakdale.
The loss ends the season for Oakdale. Coalfield moves on to face three-seed Midway on Wednesday at 7:00 PM at Midway.
Oliver Springs Lady Cats Easily Defeat Harriman 39-23
Five-seed Oliver Springs had no problem in bringing an end to eight-seed Harriman’s season with a 39-23 victory at home. Oliver Springs now must face four-seed Wartburg on Wartburg’s home court on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
Wartburg Lady Bulldogs Crush Rockwood 65-10
In a rebound from their embarrassing defeat by Oneida this past Friday, the four-seed Wartburg Central Lady Bulldogs took out their vengeance on winless nine-seed Rockwood, crushing the Lady Tigers 65-10. Wartburg jumped out to a 19-5 first quarter lead and held the Lady Tigers to a total of five points over the last three quarters. Wartburg outscored Rockwood 24-0 in a second quarter onslaught. The Lady Bulldogs were up 43-5 at the half and 57-9 after three.
Madison Holley led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points. Madison Williams and Olivia Davis each scored eight points. Karlee Bowling was Rockwood’s high scorer with five points.
Wartburg now faces Oliver Springs at home on Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the District 3-1A quarterfinals. Wartburg was upset by Oliver Springs 51-47 on January 22.