A-J falls in title game at tournament
Anna-Jonesboro remained close until the second quarter before losing the championship game to Carbondale 62-40 in the Harrisburg high school girls’ basketball Pre-View Tournament Saturday, Nov. 27.
“Carbondale struggled in that first quarter,” A-J coach Brian Clark said. “But they made adjustments in the second quarter.”
The Lady Terriers led 12-10 after one quarter but made a 24-14 run in the second quarter to build a 37-24 halftime advantage.
“We stopped rebounding the second quarter,” Clark said. “They’re very quick and very athletic and are extremely deep on the bench.”
It was the sixth consecutive title for Carbondale, which led 40-34 going into the final period.
“Our kids played hard,” Clark said. “They just didn’t take care of the basketball like they should have.”
Jessi Stone had 17 points to lead the Lady Wildcats. Destiny Dillow added 8 points, Emma Basler 3 and Valerie Pender 2.
Dillow, Parr and Stone were named to the all-tournament team.
In other tournament action:
A-J 50, Harrisburg 35: Stone led the way with 23 points in the win Friday, Nov. 26.
Parr added 10 points, Dillow 9, Basler 4 and Kim Mixen and Pender 2 apiece.
The Lady Wildcats let a 12-11 first quarter lead slip away to trail 26-19 at the half. A-J fought back to pull ahead 36-34 going into the final period.
A-J 56, Carmi-White County 48: Basler scored 18 points to lead A-J to the win Tuesday, Nov. 23.
Dillow added 16 points for the Lady Wildcats. Stone had 12 points, Parr 8 and Pender 2.
A-J led 12-10 after one quarter and 17-14 at the half. The Lady Wildcats held a 35-34 lead at the end of three periods. A-J outscored the Lady Bulldogs 21-14 in the final period.
A-J 55, West Frankfort 40: Parr scored 18 points to lead the Lady Wildcats to the first-round win Monday, Nov. 22.
Dillow added 12 points, Stone 8, Basler 7, Pender 6 and Mixen and Brooke Chamness 2 apiece.
A-J led 9-8 after one quarter and 24-23 at the half. The Lady Wildcats led 37-34 going into the final period.
“We played really well in the tournament,” Clark said. “We took a lot of growth spurts. We played hard and we were very aggressive and defensive wise, our kids grew. We’re going to get better.”
A-J, 3-1, is scheduled to play Vienna at home Saturday.