Lady Tigers advance to finals in Christmas tourney

Red Bay’s Hope Cook drives around a Central player on Thursday. Photo by Keith Ledbetter.

By Keith Ledbetter

For the FCT

The Red Bay Lady Tigers were just one of the nineteen high school girls’ basketball teams from Alabama and Mississippi that competed last week in the annual Lauderdale County Christmas Tournament.

Red Bay opened the double elimination tournament last Thursday with a 45-40 win over Central, but lost 66-45 to the reigning AHSAA 2A State champs-Woodland Friday night.

Saturday, Dec. 28, Red Bay defeated Lee of Huntsville 62-45. That game advanced them to the afternoon match-up with rival Mars Hill where the Lady Tigers beat the Lady Panthers 47-37 to move them into Mondays’ finals against East Limestone.

Scores from the Monday game are not available due to press deadlines.

In game one, Red Bay led Central in three of the four quarters, but had problems completing shots in the fourth.

“We just stunk it up on our four corner offense,” said Red Bay Lady Tigers head coach Donnie Roberts.

“We had every opportunity in the world to put them away and just couldn’t do it.

“I know we missed at least 10 layups in the second half.”

Red Bay’s 38-29 solid lead quickly changed after they scored only two points in the first four minutes of the fourth.

Central took advantage of Red Bay’s misfortune and pulled to within one point with just over one minute remaining in the game.

Although Red Bay had problems getting the ball to fall on offense, it was their defensive press that caused several turnovers and 10 second calls in the final quarter.

“The girls did a real good job on the press. It was probably the best thing we did,” Roberts added.

Kasey Sparks led Red Bay with 15 points. Allie Kennedy scored 10, Hope Cook added six, Carlee Berry scored four, Morgan Pierce added three, and Darby Madden scored two.

Red Bay will open the new year at home against Cherokee on Jan. 3, and will host Tremont on Jan. 7.