District 3-1A Basketball Tournament Roundup – February 13, 2019

February 13, 2019 admin featured

By Terry Futrell

Coalfield Lady Jackets fall to Midway 68-50

Three-seed Midway proved to be too much for the Coalfield Lady Jackets and ended six-seed Coalfield’s season with a 68-50 victory. The Lady Waves move on to face two-seed Sunbright Friday at 8:00 PM in the District 3-1A semifinals at Roane State Community College. The win guarantees Midway of a trip to the regionals. The loss ends the season for the Lady Jackets.

Oliver Springs Lady Cats Bring Early End to Wartburg’s Season 45-41

In a mild upset, the five-seed Oliver Springs Lady Cats came into the Dog House and defeated four-seed Wartburg 45-41, ending the season for the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Cats jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the first quarter, but were outscored by Wartburg the rest of the way. Sadly, for Wartburg, it was not enough to overcome the initial scoring advantage of Oliver Springs.

There is an old adage about winning the battle but losing the war. The Lady Bulldogs won the key battle of baskets made this evening, but lost the war. Each team scored 11 2-point baskets, but Wartburg outshot Oliver Springs from beyond the arc six baskets to five. Like we have seen so many times this season, poor free throw shooting was the deciding factor in the game. Wartburg shot a dismal 14% from the free throw line (1 of 7), while the Lady Cats shot 80% (8 of 10).

Callie Johnson led Wartburg with 23 points, including seven 2-point baskets and three 3-point baskets. No other Lady Bulldog scored in double figures. Cassidy Gilmore paced Oliver Springs with 16 points, while Laci Hester added 13 points for Oliver Springs.

Oliver Springs will face one-seed Oneida Friday at 6:30 PM in the District 3-1A semifinals at Roane State Community College. Oneida will be without their star player Kendyl West who underwent emergency surgery today. For the Lady Bulldogs, the loss and early exit from district play marks the first time since the 2005-2006 season that Wartburg has not advanced to regional play.