By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
CENTRE – The top-seeded Cherokee County Lady Warriors held Spring Garden scoreless in the first quarter and went on to claim a 59-17 victory in the Cherokee County Girls Basketball Tournament semifinals on Friday at Richard Lindsey Arena in Centre.
It was the Lady Warriors’ 14th consecutive win.
Nevaeh Gaidurgis led Cherokee County (21-2) with 19 points. Ellisan Givens added eight points. Jolie Alexander and Taniya Fife both finished with seven points.
Cherokee County jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter and scored the first 24 points of the game. The Lady Warriors led 31-4 at halftime.
Spring Garden scored its first points with 2:31 left in the first half on a pair of free throws by Carmen Truss. The Lady Panthers’ first made field goal came at the 3:14 mark of the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Lacie Jo McMurray.
Maya Jennings led the Lady Panthers with six points.
Cherokee County advances to Saturday’s championship game at 5 p.m., where it will face Sand Rock.
Sand Rock 57, Cedar Bluff 37
CENTRE – Maddie Clanton delivered 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Sand Rock Lady Wildcats to a 57-37 victory over Cedar Bluff in Friday’s other girls tournament semifinal on Friday.
Kaylee Burns contributed 11 points and 14 boards for the Lady Wildcats (14-7). Macey Pruitt also rang for 11 points. Molly Grace Lay finished with five assists, five rebounds, and five steals.
Kylie Vadon topped Cedar Bluff with 18 points. She also had four assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Janaya Higgins tossed in 16 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. She also grabbed six boards and had four steals.
Sand Rock rolled to a 16-0 run in the first quarter and led 18-6 at quarter’s end. The Lady Wildcats held a 28-11 advantage at halftime and a 42-30 edge at the end of three quarters.
