Donald Foster
WBONTV.com
Wallingford Broadcasting
Madison Central and Southern pick up wins in the Jack Burford Christmas Classic.
Madison Central 53 Belfry 45
The Lady Indians entered day three of the classic on a two game winning streak. They were looking to even their season record at 5-5 with a win but Belfry stood in the way. The Pirates came in with a 7-3 record. The game started with a 6-0 by Central and the Indians run out to a 13-4 lead after a quarter. Second quarter Central runs out to a 23-8 lead before Belfry battles back and cuts the lead down to ten at half, 31-21. Bailey Vanover led the way with 13 points at the half for Central. Second half started like the first with Belfry this time going on it’s own 6-0 run to cut the lead to four. Central takes a 36-34 lead into the final frame. In the fourth Belfry cuts the lead to a single point a couple of times but that was as close as they could get. Central (5-5) holds off Belfry (7-4) to win the game 53-45. Bailey Vanover leads the scoring with 24 points and 7 rebounds, Je’Kauri McKeithen with a double double 11 points and a team high 15 rebounds, Taleya Todd continues to impress with 14 points, Kelsey Powell and Logan Hudson chip in two points each to round out the scoring. The Lady Indians return to action next week in Garrard County in their classic.
Madison Southern 71 Pike County Central 59
The Lady Eagles come into day three of the classic looking to get over .500 while Pike Central entered the contest with only one loss. Pike Central may be the best team in the Jack Burford Classic, the game opens with a 5-0 run by the Lady Eagles to force Pike Central into an early timeout. Central end the quarter with a 19-13 lead. They forced the Southern into 12 turnovers in the opening frame, but they had 11 of their own. Southern opens the second quarter on a 10-2 run to tie the game at 23. At halftime we are tied at 28. The first half was very sloppy both ways, Eagles had 18 turnovers and Pike Central with 15, Aleigh Richardson and Samantha Cornelison lead Southern with 9 points each at half. Southern opens the third period on an 13-2 run to take a 41-30 lead. The Lady Hawks answer back with a 8-0 run of their own to cut the lead to 41-38, from there it became a free throw contest with Southern knocking down 6 free throws to end the quarter taking a 49-45 lead into the fourth. Southern uses a 10-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to take a 67-56 lead and hold on for a strong 71-59 win. Despite committing 37 turnovers the Eagles improve to 5-4 on the season. Skylar Sparks with a big second half to lead Southern with 18 points and 9 rebounds both team highs, Cornelison with 15 points and 9 steals, Sunni Walters adds 12 points. Aleigh Richardson with 9 points, Macie Daniels 6 points, Paige Carter 4 points, Morgan Flannery 4 points, and Zaria Carter 3 points. Lady Eagles return to action next week at home in their own classic.
