| Lady Rebel reach state semifinals | | Posted: Wednesday, March 7, 2012 5:59 pm
| By Mike Hutchens
Messenger Sports Editor
MURFREESBORO — Brandi Goodman scored 14 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter to help Obion Central pull away to a 69-60 victory over reigning state champion McMinn Central in the Class 2A girls state quarterfinals this afternoon.
The win — OC’s school record 34th in 36 games — puts the Lady Rebels in Friday’s 11:30 a.m. tournament semis against Stone Mountain, a 35-28 victor over Waverly earlier today.
Friday’s winner will play the survivor of the Christ Presbyterian Academy-Livingston Academy first semifinal in Saturday’s 2 o’clock championship game.
Goodman outplayed two-time Miss Basketball finalist Elizabeth Massengil in the last of four 2A games today.
Foul-plagued and forced to the bench for the final 3:55 of the first half, she owned the paint down the stretch when Obion Central built on its 40-39 lead heading into the fourth period.
Goodman fouled out with 1:34 to play after making 8-of-13 field goals and grabbing 13 rebounds.
Macy Wright matched Goodman’s point total — 17 of her 21 markers coming after the intermission, while Paige Hicks tallied 11 and Ali McEwen 10 to give the Lady Rebels four double-figure scorers.
OC’s Shannon Wiggins did a stellar job on Massengil defensively in the team’s box-and-one defense, frustrating the junior stalwart and limiting her to 13 points before she fouled out in the late going.
McMinn Central (25-8) set a state tournament record for most 3-pointers attempted with 34, but made just nine (26.5 percent).
McMinn led 28-27 at halftime despite shooting just 29.7 percent (11-of-37) from the field, including but 4-of-20 from 3-point range.
The Chargerettes got off 17 more shots than did Central over the first two quarters, but Central went to the foul line 15 more times (17-2) than MC.
Goodman picked her third foul with 3:55 left before intermission and was sent to the bench, but the Lady Rebels actually made up three points in her absence to trail by just one at the break.
Goodman’s halfcourt heave at the end of the first period found nothing but net and gave OC a 13-11 lead at the horn.
Massengil didn’t touch the ball but twice in the opening period due to Wiggins’’ work on the defensive end.
For a complete game story, tournament notebook, features and photos, see Thursday’s Messenger. | | | | |
