News-Times Staff
EMERSON - A night after scoring 27 points in Strong's thrilling win over Emerson, Dynasty Davis had another huge game, scoring 29 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs to a 59-38 win over Bradley in the semifinals of the 5-1A East Regional Tournament on Friday night.
The win sends the Lady Bulldogs (15-10), the No. 3 seed from the 8-1A East, into tonight's championship game against Ouachita.
The Lady Warriors, the top seed from the 7-1A East, outlasted Nevada 53-49 to advance.
In addition to Davis' big night, Ladasia Williams had her second straight double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Kiki Shelton chipped in with 11 points and five assists.
Even more important for Strong is that the win also gives them a bye in the first round of next week's state tournament.
"This was a huge win to get us to the final," said Strong coach Jason Porter. "That puts us three games away from the finals."
Strong led 30-21 at intermission, and Porter said a change in defenses was a great benefit to his team.
"We had been playing a triangle-and-two," Porter said. "We switched to a matchup 1-3-1 zone, and it gave them fits. We distanced ourselves during that time. With three minutes left in the third, their second leading scorer, Stephanie Young, fouled out.
"When that happened, we went box-and-one on their leading scorer, Tia Harris. They had trouble scoring after that. They went man with about three minutes left. We spread it out, got the ball to Dynasty and let her go to work."
Porter said Ouachita will provide a stern test for his team.
"They play a tough brand of defense," Porter said. "They are very disciplined. We are going to have to come out quick tomorrow. From what I've been told, they're susceptible to pressure, so we will test that early. Overall, we are very pleased to be in the finals."
In other action at the 5-1A East Regional Tournament, the boys final is set.
Nevada, the top seed from the 7-1A East, knocked off Hampton 55-23 to advance.
The Bluejays will take on Bradley, who downed Dermott 68-59.
Strong and Ouachita are slated to begin at 6 p.m. with the boys final to follow at 7:30 p.m. The consolation games will be at 12 and 1:30 p.m., beginning with the girls contest.
Boys
McGehee 53,
Junction City 49
PRESCOTT - For the third time this season, the Dragons fell just short against the Owls, the top seed from the 8-3A.
During conference play in the regular season, the Dragons were swept by the Owls by a combined five points in their two meetings.
The loss sends the Dragons (19-9), the No. 3 seed from the 8-3A, into the third-place game against Drew Central, who has won the last two meetings against Junction City by a combined total of five points.
Jalen Davis had 14 points and Jakobe Fisher added 11 points for the Dragons, who led 32-30 at intermission and 41-39 after three periods before falling by the final margin.
"The effort was outstanding," said Junction City coach Kendall Hutcheson. "We just didn't make enough plays down the stretch. We need to learn to finish games."