Center High School on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 –
Center High School hosted Gilmer on Tuesday in District 14 4A varsity basketball conference play. The Center Lady Roughriders won by a narrow 47-46 score and the Center Roughriders defeated the Buckeyes 55-36.
The Gilmer Lady Buckeyes got the upper hand early and led the Lady ‘Riders 6-2 points midway through the first quarter and they led CHS 13-7 at the end of the opening period. Gilmer still led 17-13 in the middle of the second frame and Gilmer was up 23-18 at the halftime intermission. A 10 point scoring run by the Lady Roughriders gave them their first lead at 33-28 midway through the third stanza and they led 42-38 at the end of the third quarter. CHS led 46-39 midway through the fourth quarter but Gilmer fought back to tie the game at 46-46 with just 14 seconds remaining. A crucial free throw by Lady Roughrider senior guard Gabrielle Whisenant in the final 1.8 seconds proved to difference and CHS took the 47-46 district win. Center was led scoring by Journee Smith with 13 points and May Johnson with 11. The win puts Center’s season mark at 21-7 and they are at 9-1 in District 17 win two conference games remaining.
The Center boys varsity jumped out to an early 9-0 lead on Gilmer and they led 15-11 at the end of the first period. Center built a 22-16 led midway through the second frame and they took a 29-20 lead into the locker room at the midway intermission. By the end of the third quarter CHS had seen their lead grow to 45-26. Center held a comfortable 49-29 lead over Gilmer halfway through the fourth period and they cruised to the 55-34 final score. Center was led by Cash Cross with 15 points, Carson Bush with 11, and Tim Johnson with 10 points. The ‘Riders are 16-9 this season and 7-2 in District 17 with three district games remaining. Center will travel to Henderson High School on Friday, February 2, 2024 for more conference games at Lions Gymnasium. Sub-varsity games begin at 4:30 p.m. and varsity games will follow.
