The game lived up to its billing as two girls Class A, undefeated top-five teams squared off Tuesday night. As heard on WRBI, top ranked Waldron made a late charge to edge No. 3 Jac-Cen-Del 51-48.
Over the course of 32 minutes of play, there were seven ties and 13 lead changes. Neither team led by more than three points in the first half. It was 9-9 at the end of one and 26-23 Jac-Cen-Del at the end of two.
Both teams had balanced scoring in the first half. For the Eagles, Jalee Rider had seven points and Annabelle Williams scored six. For the Mohawks, Bella Larrison posted six while Josee Larrison, Hadlie Ross and Nichole Garner followed with five each.
The most notable stat from the first half was three-point shooting where Jac made 5-of-8 and Waldron was just 1-of-7.
In the third, the Eagles got up a half-dozen early, only to lose the lead then get it back to hold a 40-38 edge at the stop.
The gals from Osgood led 44-39 early in the fourth but couldn’t hold it as Waldron hit free throws and Jac-Cen-Del did not. The Mohawks erased the five-point deficit and went on to win by three, 51-48.
For the game, both teams shot 19 free throws. Waldron made 15. JCD hit on just nine.
Nichole Garner, Bella Larrison and Mackenzie Shawe had 12, 11 and 10 points respectively for Waldron.
Annabelle Williams led the Eagles with 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Desiree Sparks followed with nine points and 10 boards. Seven points each were turned in by Jalee Rider and Aundrea Cullen.
Waldron, who ended a 17-game losing streak to 2A-No. 1 Triton Central Friday, won only its second game in the last 15 tries against sectional rival Jac-Cen-Del Tuesday.
The Mohawks also won the JV game 44-40. Alivia Fischer had 15 for the Waldron reserves and teammates Audrey Hogg and Alyssa Benson both scored 10. Sophia Sullivan scored 18 for the JCD JV. She also had six rebounds and seven steals. Teammate Kelsey Borgman had seven points, five boards and six steals.
We thank Waldron AD Alex Engelbert for the accommodations and hospitality and coaches Scott Smith and Anthony Thomas for their information and time in our pregame show.