Donald Foster
WBONTV.com
Wallingford Broadcasting
Madison Central boys roll to district championship game
The Berea Pirates entered the game against Central as a big underdog. The Indians on the side knew as the heavy favorites in the district once again that they would have to keep pushing and not listening to the hype.
The game started with a three pointer from Isiah Minter and another quick score from Isiah Cozart made it 5-0 quickly. Hall answered back with a three pointer making it 5-3. An 8-0 run makes it 13-3 and after a quarter it’s 23-8. Second quarter stay after the Pirates using a press and behind a 25-10 quarter took a 48-18 lead into halftime. Berea had a couple players with 6 points each in Triston Duckworth and Zane Brown. Indians were led by Dustin Gerald 21 points. Cozart facing a double team most of the half finished the half with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots.
The second half watched the Indians pull away and get the running clock going. Berea, down by 30 plus points, never quit playing hard but the Indians coming off the loss to Covington Catholic Friday night came out and controlled this one from the opening buzzer. Dustin Gerald with 25 points and 6 rebounds, Cozart with 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Isiah Minter 7 points, Jacori Miller 7, Kenyon McKee with 6, Tyler Crafton 6, Charlton with 4 points, Lincoln Lundsford 4 points, Preston Roberts 4, Kole Brown 3, and Ray with 2. For Berea Tylen Hall with 8, Triston Duckworth 6, Zane Brown 6, Jaylen Dorsey 3, Whaylen Connor 2, David Gadd 1, and Ben West 1. Central will look to get revenge on Madison Southern Friday night and reclaim the distric championship.
Lady Indians advance to Championship game
The Lady Indians coming off a season which they (15-12) were not happy with the way the season had gone. They knew they were young and had some tough games on the schedule but they had a tough time shooting the ball all season long. For the Lady Pirates of Berea (10-20) they entered the season as one of the youngest teams in the state. They were led by Adrienne Beggs 10 points and 7 rebounds on the season. These two teams met in mid December in Berea with the Indians winning 66-27.
The opening quarter saw Bailey Vanover knock in a couple of free throws but after that neither team could score. Indians run out to an 8-0 lead until the Lady Pirates get a free throw to fall with 1:27 left and then a three pointer as the quarter ended by Melissa Gosney. Indians use a 10-0 run to start the second frame and to run out to a 18-4 lead. After a timeout Berea went on their own 8-0 run to get back within 18-11. Indians end the half up 25-11. Beggs had 5 points and 5 rebounds for Berea. Madison Bernard with 7 points to pace Madison Central, Vanover with 5 points and 5 rebounds. Berea shot 3-17 in the half and had 15 turnovers. Behind the play of Je’Kauri McKeithen they had a commanding lead in points in the paint outscoring Berea 18-2.
Third quarter saw Gosney knock down a three pointer to start the half but the Indians answer with a three from Teleya Todd, who had foul trouble in the first half. Late in the quarter Madison Bernard left after a hard foul and was replaced by freshman Lacie Parks who went on to score the final four points of the third. Fourth quarter saw Kelsey Powell score the first four points. Central uses a 21-6 quarter to advance to the 44th district championship. For Berea Beggs ends with 11 points and 9 rebounds, Gosney 10 points 6 rebounds, Isis Rodgers with 2 points, Newman with 1, Gosney with a point. For the Lady Indians Todd finishes with 12 points, Lacie Parks with 12 points off the bench, McKeithen 8 points, Vanover 7 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 steals. Barnard with 7 points before she left in the third, Powell with 6, Hudson with 4, and Blaze Pacheco with 2. Central will now face Madison Southern Friday night for the championship.
