Feb. 15, 2009 — The Central High Lady Caribs made a late charge against the Charlotte Amalie High School Lady Chicken Hawks but came up just short, losing 42-40 in the girls division of the Central High basketball tournament on Saturday.
By all accounts, the game should not have been this close as the Lady Hawks were obviously a more skilled team with a distinct height advantage over the Lady Caribs. But fatigue and a never-say-die attitude by the Caribs almost cost the Hawks the game.
From the opening tip-off it looked as if this game was going to be a blowout, as the Lady Hawks came out looking like world-beaters. Their defense shut down the Lady Caribs for the most part limiting them to just five points in the period while their offense, led by six points from Akyla Peters, produced 12 points for a 12-5 lead after one quarter.
Te’Andre Richardson and Shaya Kelly picked up the scoring for the Lady Hawks in the second quarter as they both netted six points to help their team to a 14-12 second period and a 26-17 lead at the half. Melenesia Hendrickson netted five for the Lady Caribs in the second quarter.
Intense defensive pressure by the Lady Hawks in the third quarter really unraveled the Lady Carib,s holding them to a net four points. Numerous turnovers, some for easy baskets, helped the Lady Hawks outscore the home team 11-4 in the period and a 16-point lead after three quarters at 37-21.
Their strong defensive play in the third seemed to take a lot out of the Lady Hawks, as many players were obviously fatigued midway through the fourth and final period. Caribs coach Donald Bough, saw the crack in the Chicken Hawks’ armor, and his girls pounced.
A full court press here, a trap there and the Lady Hawks all of a sudden could not hold on to the ball. What was a 16-point lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter quickly dwindled as the Lady Caribs, with hometown fans staunchly behind them, began to real in the Lady Hawks. The Caribs had opportunites to tie several times with the Hawks up by two, but fatigue held them back.
In the end, the home team’s frantic comeback came up short by a basket, 42-40 — but what a thrilling finish.
Richardson led the Lady Hawks with a game high 11 points, Peters netted eight and three other teammates finished with seven. For the Caribs, Hendrickson finished with a team high 11 points, Leima Lake scored seven and three others netted six points apiece.
