SALEM - "It was your typical first game of the season," those words from Salem coach Janet Holst as her Lady Wildcats took advantage of a 50-32 advantage in the final 3 quarters to pull away and defeat Centralia 60-46 in the opener for each team in the 2009 Salem Thanksgiving Tournament.
Centralia came out strong taking a 10-0 lead to start the game. Cierra Cunningham put in 8 in the first quarter to help the Annies extend their lead. Maddy Pea hit consecutive 3-pointers to cut the lead down to four and that is the deficit Salem would face after the first quarter 14-10.
Salem outscored Centralia 50-32 the rest of the way including 19-8 in the 2nd quarter to take a 29-22 lead at the break.
Katie Meador was a beat for the Lady Cats. The 5-foot-9 sophomore put in a game high 22 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 7 steals. Meador also featured a perimeter game she says she's been working on all summer. Hitting a trio of 10-foot jumpers off the dribble, Meador has added to her all around game after showing she is a force underneath.
Also a force last night was the defensive effort of Kirstie Owen. The 5-foot-3 junior guard held Annies leading scorer from a year ago, junior Hannah Shores, to 0 points in the opening half and just 10 for the game. Owen also put in 11 points for Salem who forced 20 turnovers. "It's been a long time since we haven't pressed and strictly ran a half-court man-to-man defense, and I think we played it pretty well," said Holst.
Lexi Hester was also in double figures with 10 points while Maddy Pea added another three pointer in the 2nd half to finish with 9 points.
Cunningham led the way for Centralia with 15 points, only 3 in the 2nd half. Salem and Centralia will each finish up pool play on Saturday. Salem will play Belleville East at Noon followed by Pana at 8:30. Centralia get's Pana at 1:30 and Belleville East at 7:00.
In the night's first game, Highland beat Carlyle 52-35.
The tournament continues tonight with three-time defending champion Edwardsville taking on Olney at 6:30 followed by Pana and Belleville East at 8pm.
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South Central moved to 2-0 on the season with a 47-34 victory over North Clay in Farina. Abbey Jones finished with 16 points, Audrey Matheny had 12 and Ashley Pollard chipped in with 11 in the win.
Also in the MTC last night, ten players scored for Sandoval on their way to a 60-8 rout at Cisne. Madison Crawford had 14 points as the Lady Blackhawks take their 2-0 record to the court tonight when they host Red Hill.
Woodlawn made their first seven shots including 5 three pointers on their way to a 56-34 win over Noble.
The Lady Cougars will join their boy counterparts tomorrow night for their annual spirit night with this year’s theme “South Central has a flashback!” The event will take place at the South Central High School Gym in Farina beginning at 6:30. Admission is free, but the cheerleaders are asking that you bring in a can of food, which will be given to the local food pantry.
Also last night in girls basketball, Nashville opened the game on a 9-0 run and held on to beat Wesclin 50-43.
