Third quarter scoring drought dooms Lady Lions in district tournament

Earle held Manila to only one point in the pivotal third quarter to break open a close game en route to a 69-63 victory in the semifinals of the 3A-3 District Tournament Friday night, Feb. 19, at Earle.

Manila freshman Courtney Craine eyeballs Lady Bulldog Jessica Young in district tournament action Friday night at Earle. (Town Crier photo/Trent Fletcher)

The two teams battled on even terms throughout the opening half with Earle holding a 15-14 edge after the first quarter and took a slim 35-33 lead into intermission.

Cymone Poole, who led Earle with 22 points, scored the first four points of the third period, igniting a 13-0 run. Poole capped off the Lady Bulldog burst with a three pointer at the 1:52 mark of the quarter, giving the Lady Bulldogs a 48-33 lead.

Manila finally broke their scoring drought when Kimberly Wise hit one of two free throws with 1:04 left in the quarter, but Jessica Young answered with a 10-foot jumper just before the buzzer to close the period, pushing Earle to a 16 point lead, 50-34.

The Lady Bulldogs stretched their advantage to 19 points when Kayla Pope drained a three pointer with 5:49 left in the game, moving Earle ahead 59-40.

Manila battled back and pulled to within four points, 66-63 with five seconds left, but it was too little, too late, as the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the finals against Corning.

Wise led all scorers with a game high 31 points. The senior guard topped the 2,000 point mark for her career early in the game. Carla Kemp added 15 while Courtney Craine chipped in 12. Kristen Painter rounded out the Manila scoring with five points.

Joining Poole in double figures for Earle was Pope and Young with 19 and 12 points respectively.

The Lady Lions advanced to the semifinals Thursday night with a 59-40 victory over Harrisburg. Wise topped the Lady Lions with 31 points while Kemp added 10 more.

Kristen Long scored 11 while Hayden Long added 10 to lead Harrisburg.

Manila will host the 3A Regional Tournament beginning Wednesday.