By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
Gadsden City High girls basketball head coach Jeremy Brooks knew Lee-Huntsville’s speed most likely would cause his team problems in a Class 6A subregional game on Thursday (Feb. 14).
Brooks’ concerns proved correct.
Although the Lady Titans led the game from start to finish en route to a 54-47 victory, Lee made several runs to keep the game close.
Gadsden City twice built a 10-point lead, but on each occasion the Lady Generals battled back to cut the deficit to two points.
“They are a physical team and they were able to keep the game close,” said Brooks. “We did not execute our game plan perfectly although they were never able to tie the game up or take the lead.”
Gadsden City (22-8) advanced to the Northeast Regional Tournament at Jacksonville State, where the Lady Titans will face Shades Valley in the semifinals on Wednesday (Feb. 27) at 12 p.m. The regional championship game is set for Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.
The Lady Titans jumped to an 11-7 lead after the opening quarter and led 30-20 at the half. Dajia Williams, who finished with a game-high 22 points, scored 13 points in the opening half.
The third quarter saw the Lady Generals (18-10) trim their deficit to 39-34. Lee’s Salina Virola scored eight of her 10 points in the period.
A 3-point bucket by Tiera Williams cut the GCHS lead to 39-37 early in the final stanza, but Lee got no closer.
The Lady Titans managed only two field goals down the stretch but went 10-for-19 from the free throw line to ice the game.
Williams paced Lee with 16 points followed by Calia Binford with 11.