Thursday, February 14, 2008

High School Basketball Playoffs Continue


By Clint Cox


Photo Caption:
Lady Tiger LeTeshia Sims, #23, scores 2 of her 13 points against Central in FHSAA playoff action last Thursday night in Malone. Photo by Clint Cox


The FHSAA basketball playoffs continued this past week with numerous county teams still heavily involved in their pursuit of a trip to Lakeland for the Final Four and a state championship. The Girl’s playoffs have moved through the quarter and semi-finals with the county having one squad still in the running for a trip to Lakeland.
The Cottondale Lady Hornets captured the Class 2A Regional 1 Quarter Finals with a 59-33 home court win over the Baker Lady Gators. Shaunte Forward led the squad with 18 points and Brianna Gray added 15. That advanced the Lady Hornets to a semi-finals matchup against Ponce De Leon on Tuesday night. Cottondale came away from that road trip with a 42-37 win and now will host North Florida Christian on Saturday night in the Region 1 Finals. The winner advances to the final four in Lakeland next week. The Malone Lady Tigers also captured a quarter final win and they did so against Central High School (Milton). After leading 12-11 at the end of the first quarter Malone exploded in the second quarter by outscoring Central 22-4. They went on to post a 43-29 victory and were led by LaTeshia Sims with 13 and Cassandra Brown with 11. That advanced the Lady Tigers to a Tuesday night road game against Paxton in the Class 1A Region 1 semi-finals. Malone put up a good fight but fell 47-43 to the Lady Bobcats and thus were eliminated from the playoffs. Graceville and Marianna were both eliminated from the playoffs last Thursday as Class 1A Graceville fell to Paxton by a score of 55-42. The Class 3A Lady Bulldogs gave a valiant effort but were edged 47-43 by Pensacola Catholic.
In Boy’s basketball all five county teams played in their respective district championships. The end result for the county was three district champions and two district runner ups. The Marianna Bulldogs pulled away from Chipley in the second quarter to post a 69-39 win and were led by Brandon Gibson with 24 points. That set the Bulldogs, 24-3 and ranked #4 in the state, up to host the Class 3A Regional Quarter Finals on Thursday against Walton County. In Class 2A action Sneads and Cottondale advanced to the championship game in District 2 with wins on Friday night. Sneads downed Bozeman 58-41 and were led by Robbie Glawson with 19 points. Cottondale stung Altha with a 53-41 win and were led by Dezmond Gray with 18 points. The Pirates and Hornets squared off on Saturday night in Blountstown for the title and the Pirates pulled off a come from behind 46-44 victory. Sneads will host Baker in the Region 1 Quarter finals on Thursday while Cottondale will travel to Pensacola Christian.
The county’s remaining two boys teams, Malone and Graceville, also picked up wins on Friday night to advance to the Class 1A District 2 Championship game. Malone put down Poplar Springs while Graceville eliminated host school Bethlehem. That set up a Tiger match on Saturday night on a neutral court. Both teams had won their home games against each other during the regular season. Saturday night’s rubber match went to Graceville by a score of 53-45. With the loss Malone will travel to Paxton on Thursday for round one of the playoffs. Graceville will host Laurel Hill on Thursday.

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