By Erik Harris
CLAY – Class 6A second-ranked Clay-Chalkville couldn’t have been much closer to a perfect 4-0 run through Class 6A, Area 12 at home Tuesday night.
A late push from the Lady Cougars had them on the right side of a 37-34 score with five ticks remaining on the clock, and they had possession of the ball.
No. 3 Center Point denied Kristian Hudson the ball on the seemingly uneventful inbound pass, which was intercepted by Dexi Danels near half court. Danels dribbled three times, cut her eyes up to the dying clock and released a 3-pointer that evened the score at 37-all at the end of regulation.
“I give credit to Center Point, they stole the pass, the girl knocked down the shot,” Clay-Chalkville head coach Justin Haynie said.
The Lady Eagles took momentum into extra time and left the floor with a 46-41 win to stay alive in the Area 12 regular season championship race. They improved to 2-1 in league play, while Clay-Chalkville finished their area season 3-1.
After holding the hosts scoreless through the opening quarter of play, Center Point kept the lead for much of the night behind a big night from forward Amber Rivers.
“In the first quarter alone we missed seven layups and that’s just a sign of being a little tight, but we worked through it in the second half,” Haynie said.
Rivers worked her way to numerous offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points, which eventually made all the difference. She finished with a game-high 18 points, but got all she wanted from T.J. Thomas on the other side.
Thomas led the Lady Cougars with 15 points, six boards and three steals.
Hudson struggled on the offensive end through the first half, but took the second half floor with a different mentality. She went 5-for-7 to start the third quarter, giving the home team their first advantage of the night.
Hudson ended the game with 14 points, all coming in the second half.
If Center Point can beat Pinson Valley on Friday night, the Lady Eagles will match Clay-Chalkville’s 3-1 area mark. Ties have been settled by a coin toss in the past.