By Jason Martin:
It took 3:36 for Warren Central to score in last night’s quarterfinal round game against 16-9 Russell County, and honestly, it never got much easier. A 7-0 start for the Lakers was cut to 2 at the end of the quarter, and in the second, behind a +9 rebounding advantage and a successful full-court press and trap strategy, the Dragons took the lead by five heading into the break. No one had more than six points for either side at the midway point.
In the third quarter, the teams continued to struggle from the field, missing free throws and open looks, but again Warren Central was able to hold the lead. Jared Savage began to find his way to the free throw line a bit, but had just one field goal at the end of the third quarter. Senior Kobe Caldwell had 10 points and was the game’s lone double-figure scorer heading into the final frame.
With around three minutes remaining, Savage finally got free from stifling Laker defense and buried a three to take a six point lead. Attempting to answer the bucket on the other end, Russell County junior guard Eddie Murphy air-balled a three of his own. That would prove to be enough for Warren Central. Neither team shot 35% from the floor. Although the game finished 46-44, it took a last second prayer three from the corner from Kel Stotts to pull the Lakers within two at the buzzer.
Central escaped on a tough night where no one could make shots, advancing to play in the semifinal round on Monday night. Jared Savage was named player of the game. He finished with 12 to lead the Dragons to the tight victory.
FINAL: WC 46, RC 44 (Savage 12, Caldwell/Hampton 10; Stotts 13)
