Trailing by 12 after only managing single-digit scoring in each of the first three quarters of Tuesday night’s matchup with hosts Warren East, the Todd County Central girls’ basketball team rallied to tie the game in regulation and earn a 49-42 overtime victory.
The Lady Rebels improved to 7-2 to match their best start to a season since the 2008-09 season. That team opened 10-3 before suffering a six-game losing run and finishing 14-11.
Jamya Kay hit for five first-quarter points, and the Lady Rebels led by a point after one. However, they were held to six points in the second, and Reagan Lawson drilled three three-pointers to help Warren East take a 22-14 advantage into halftime.
Jamaia Burks scored five points in the third, but the Lady Rebels were outscored 11-7 and trailed by 12 with a quarter to play. However, the momentum swung over the final eight minutes, with Alexis Taylor getting busy with eight points and Abby Williams connecting on a three-pointer.
Rae Ellen Jones did her best to stave off the Lady Rebels’ comeback with six points in the fourth, but she didn’t get much help from the rest of the Lady Raiders, and the game went to overtime.
Neither team connected on a field goal in OT, but the Lady Rebels went seven of eight from the free-throw line to secure the win. Williams was perfect on four attempts, and Taylor knocked down three of four.
Taylor had a monster night with 21 rebounds and three steals to go with her 16 points. Kay reached double figures with 11, and Burks finished with 11 points and five rebounds.
Todd Central won the rebounding battle 33-24, including 11 on the offensive boards. The Lady Rebels had five assists and turned the ball over 12 times.
Todd Central 8 6 7 21 7 — 49
Warren East 7 15 11 9 0 — 42
Todd Central (7-2) — Taylor 16, Burks 11, Kay 11, Williams 9, Collins 2
Warren East (1-4) — Lawson 11, Upton 9, Carver 6, Bratcher 5, Alexander 4, Jones 1
