Lady Tigers’ state tournament aspirations end in OT vs. Minco

SEMINOLE – The Central Lady Tigers left it all on the court Thursday, but they came up short in overtime, losing 59-55 to the Minco Lady Bulldogs in a Class 2A area consolation quarterfinal game.

The Lady Tigers finished the season with a 15-12 record after their duel with Minco (16-11).

The Lady Bulldogs were leading the elimination game 26-24 at halftime, despite Central’s Cambree Bair being an offensive handful for the Minco defense in the first half. Bair scored seven points in the first quarter, and 10 points in the second stanza to keep the Lady Tigers in the game.

Central was able to pull ahead in the third period, with Haley Cheek leading the way, making six of Central’s 13 points. The Lady Tigers limited Minco to nine points as Central forged a precarious 37-35 lead by the end of the quarter.

In the fourth frame, both teams turned in an exemplary effort to finish regulation. Central earned plenty of trips to the free throw line, sinking five of its 10 attempts. Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs accumulated 14 points down the stretch to tie the game at 39 and force overtime.

But in the extra period the Lady Tigers were outgunned by four points as their postseason drive came to an end.

As a young team, the Lady Tigers made it deep into the playoffs, winning the regional consolation title against Hulbert. Central achieved a high level of success without seniors, so next year holds high expectations as returning players will be able to leverage the experience and confidence they earned this season.

Minco 11 15 9 14 10 – 59

Central 13 11 13 12 6 – 55

CENTRAL – Cambree Bair 27, Haley Cheek 10, Autumn Cernicek 7, Hadlie Woods 7, Avery Warner 2, Ayrland Jiles 2.