Donald Foster
WBONTV.com
Wallingford Broadcasting
District showdown lives up to expectations
On a cold January night where temps hovered in single digits outside the action in the Madison Southern gym was heating up.Two teams looking to establish themselves as the front runner for the 44th district met up.
The game began with Bailey Vanover getting things started with back to back layups to give the Indians a quick 4-0 lead. Eagles answer back with 13-6 to run end the quarter with a 13-10 lead after one. Vanover with 8 points in the opening quarter and Samantha Cornelison with 6 points for the Madison Southern. The second quarter the Indians used their defense to force 6 turnovers and tie the game up at halftime 24-24. Bailey Vanover with 11 points to lead Central. Indians commit 8 turnovers but the big stat was 0-8 behind the 3 point line. Eagles were led by Cornelison’s 16 points. Southern not much better behind the arc, 1-7, in the opening half. The game was tied 5 times and there were 8 lead changes.
Second half the Indians found a way to slow down Samantha Cornelison holding her scoreless in the third period, 0-4 shooting, and taking a 1 point lead into the final frame. Neither team could pull ahead by more than 7 points and the 4th quarter was no different. With under a minute left things got heated on the court as Lacie Parks and Aleigh Richardson were hit with double technical fouls. Southern uses a 16-8 4th quarter to win this one 54-47. Central shoots 1-16 from behind the arc. 9 ties, 7 lead changes, If this game was any indication of what the the district tournament will be like come March it will be fun! Central was led by Vanover 16 points 8 rebounds and 5 steals. Taleya Todd with 8 points, Je’Kauri McKeithen with 8 points and team high 14 rebounds, Madison Bernard 7 points, Blaze Pacheco 7 points, Logan Hudson adds 1 point. For Madison Southern Samantha Cornelison led with 18 points 9 rebounds and 6 steals, Sunni Walters 9 points, Skylar Sparks 8 points 7 rebounds, Aleigh Richardson 5 points and team high 14 rebounds, Morgan Flannery 5 points, Anna King 5 points, Paige Carter 4 points and 6 rebounds.
