Centralia and South Shelby split a doubleheader with conference implications Saturday.
The Centralia girls clinched the Clarence Cannon Conference outright with a physical 44-41 victory. South had an opportunity to take the lead while down by a point in the waning seconds.
Centralia then made its two free throws and intercepted the ensuing inbound pass for the win.
Both teams stayed within a single possession for much of the first quarter.
Ryenn Gordon’s and-one free throw tied the game at nine. Centralia’s largest lead of the game came in the second quarter at seven. Braylin Brunkhorst scored half of her 18 points in that frame.
The Ladybirds ended the second on a 7-2 run to cut their deficit to two. They went ahead early in the fourth quarter.
Free throws played a crucial role with Centralia going 9-for-12 in the fourth and 11-for 15 total. South Shelby went 0-for-5 in the fourth and 6-for-15 overall. Ryenn Gordon herself went 5-for-6 in the final quarter and ended with 14 points.
Callie McWilliams paced South Shelby with 15 points. Belle Roush and Bella Cook each had 10.
The South Shelby boys prevented Centralia from getting a share of the conference title by beating the Panthers 59-49. South entered the fourth quarter trailing by four but then outscored Centralia 20-6.
Centralia led for much of the first quarter.
South responded by controlling nearly all of the second. Centralia went to the fourth with its four-point lead thanks to a 13-2 run to end the third.
Centralia’s Ethan Ross led all scorers with 21 points. Cooper Elsen, Preston Elsen and Noah Wilt scored in double figures for South with 13, 11 and 10.
Freeman Financial and Insurance Outstanding Players of the Game
Centralia Girls- Ryenn Gordon
South Shelby Boys- Cooper Elsen
Centralia girls coach Megan Brinkmann Postgame:
South Shelby girls coach Luke O’Laughlin Postgame:
South Shelby boys coach Kent O’Laughlin Postgame:
Centralia boys coach Chad Thall Postgame:
