Staff Reports

ALEXANDRIA – For the second straight game, the Cherokee County Lady Warriors found themselves in a nail-biter in the Champions Thanksgiving Classic.

And, for the second straight game, the Lady Warriors prevailed.

Audrey Haygood and Raechel Russell sank several key free throws in the second overtime to outlast Southside 42-39 on Monday evening.

The Lady Warriors will play county rival Spring Garden in Tuesday’s championship game.

Russell led the Lady Warriors (2-0) with 15 points, including four 3-pointers. Mary Hayes Johnson added nine points. Haygood and Ella Garmany both finished with five points.

Graceanne Rose topped Southside with 13 points. Jovi Marble netted 10 points. Sarakate Yancey added eight points.

The Lady Warriors led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter and built a 23-14 edge at halftime. They held a 33-22 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Southside then went on an 11-0 run in the fourth to tie the game at 33 to force overtime.

In the first overtime, the two teams scored four points apiece and remained tied at 37, forcing the second extra session. The Lady Warriors outscored Southside 5-2 in the second overtime for the final.