By Joshua Huff, sports editor
JACKSONVILLE — The Center Point boys and girls’ basketball teams earned a rare Sweet 16 sweep on Saturday at Jacksonville State University after both teams cruised to victories to earn berths into the state tournament Elite Eight.
The girls ushered in the afternoon with a 51-43 victory over Class 5A, Area 15 Brewer. The Patriots had entered the contest against the Area 10 champions with a record of 20-11. Brewer had dispatched Douglas, 80-50, in the first round of the state tournament.
Despite opening the game with impassioned defensive play, the Eagles quickly found themselves in a 12-4 hole midway through the first quarter. However, Center Point’s offense begun to find its rhythm and proceeded to mount a 9-2 run over the final two minutes of the opening quarter to cut its deficit to just one point, 14-13.
That momentum carried over into the second quarter as the Eagles took their first lead of the day, 15-14, and managed to stretch it to 22-15 thanks in part to sophomore Tanita Swift, who had found her footing and was wreaking havoc throughout. During the first part of the second quarter the Eagles went on a 19-3 run and held the Patriots scoreless for the first four minutes.
Center Point’s lead would dwindle in the latter stages of the second quarter, however, as Brewer rediscovered its shot and cut into the Eagles’ lead. As the first half wound down, Brewer managed to make it a one-point game, 27-26, after a late 3-pointer. That would be the score as the two teams went into the half.
Both teams entered the second half with offenses that had fallen off the map. The two teams were unable to score a point until nearly midway through the third quarter.
The Eagles would be the first to score when Kamryn Williams hit a layup at the 4:12 mark of the third quarter. Brewer promptly responded with a 3-pointer to knot the game at 29-all. Center Point would then mount a 10-2 run over the final three minutes to take a 39-31 lead into the fourth quarter. Center Point shot 23% from the field in the third; Brewer shot 30%.
The Patriots managed to cut Center Point’s lead to six points following a 3-pointer at the 5:21 mark, but the Eagles, led by Swift, scored five straight points to take a 46-35 lead at the 2:27 mark. The Eagles cruised from there as time became Brewer’s enemy.
Swift finished the day with a game-high 25 points, four rebounds and nine steals. Amani Dawkins recorded 10 points, and Willians added nine points with five rebounds
Center Point returns to Pete Mathews Coliseum on Wednesday, Feb. 19, to face Boaz in the regional championship game. The winner advances into the state semifinals with a clash against either Charles Henderson or Sylacauga.
Center Point 51 | Brewer 43
FinalEagles dominate the fourth quarter thanks in large part to Tanita Swift’s strong performance. The sophomore scored 25 points in the win. CP advance into Elite 8. @TribSportsLive @CoachBates7 @PrinVanPhillips pic.twitter.com/gP84j8vqHD
— Joshua Huff (@JH_NewEra) February 15, 2020