PRAIRIE BASSE - The North Central Lady Hurricanes captured Beau Chene's annual Francis Singleton Tournament championship with a 49-38 win over the Northwest High Lady Raiders.
In a game that was close through the first three quarters, the Lady Hurricanes exploded for 20 points in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
The Lady Raiders jumped out to a 15-12 lead after the first quarter of the game as Triston Sonn scored 11 of team high 19 points in the first quarter.
The Lady Raiders only scored five points in the second quarter, while the Lady Hurricanes could only manage to score four points. Northwest took a four-point lead into the halftime with a 20-16 advantage.
North Central cut into Northwest's lead in the third quarter, outscoring Northwest 13-12.
The Lady Raiders held a 32-29 lead going into the final quarter of play, sparked by the play of Northwest's post player, Danielle Jackson who scored six points to lead in the quarter.
The final quarter was all North Central as the Lady Hurricanes put 20 points on the scoreboard and held Northwest to only six points.
"We had no offensive production in the second and fourth quarters," Northwest coach Latosha Malone stated after the game. "I really have no explanation as to why we played great in the first and third quarters and dismal in the second and fourth quarters."
North Central head coach Vanessa Taylor pointed out after the game, "Coach Malone had her team prepared for this game. This was a close game until the fourth quarter. Our defense kept us in the game until our offense got going in the fourth quarter. Daraneisha Joseph had some big assists late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter to help us get some big baskets."
North Central 60, Crowley 54
In earlier tournament action, the North Central Lady Hurricanes defeated Crowley High 60-54 to advance to face Northwest in the finals of the tournament.
The Lady Hurricanes jumped out to a 14-12 lead sparked by Appolonia Chambers' seven points.
The two teams matched offensive production in the second quarter as both teams netted 18 points and North Central held on to a 32-30 advantage.
Ebonie Guidry led Crowley in scoring with six points while Tasha Tanner added nine points for North Central including two key three pointers.
The Lady Hurricanes exploded for 21 points in the third quarter to take a 53-38 lead into the final stanza of play.
In the third quarter, North Central was again led in scoring by Appolonia Chambers with eight points.
The Lady Hurricanes held on in the fourth quarter to pick up the victory, even though North Central only scored seven points in the final period.
The Lady Canes were led in scoring for the night by Chambers with 19 points, while Donisha Durousseau chipped in 16 points and Tasha Tanner added 14 points.
Originally published December 12, 2005