SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Central Bobcats (20-7)(2-3) and Lady Cats (18-12)(5-2) hosted the Frenship Tigers (23-4)(4-1) and Lady Tigers (23-6)(6-1) at Central High School on Friday night. Both games had wild endings, and the ‘Cats and Lady Cats handed Frenship their first losses in district play.
LADY CATS 43 LADY TIGERS 41
Frenship came into the matchup undefeated in district, but the Lady Cats rode a 4-game win streak in a battle for supremacy that went down to the wire.
After a back-and-forth half, the Lady Cats led the Lady Tigers at the break 19-14. Frenship played much tougher in the second half to cut the ladies' lead to nothing entering the 4th quarter.
Lady Cats vs Frenship 1/27/23
(Ryan Chadwick/ San Angelo LIVE! Photo)
Disciplined defense and timely shots saw the Lady Cats hold a 1-point lead with 31 seconds remaining. Forced to foul, Frenship put Jewels Perez on the line twice, and she made a clutch free throw to extend the lead to two points. With less than five seconds to go, the Lady Tigers heaved a cross-court pass that Alyssa Barron intercepted.
Lady Cats' Jewels Perez at the Line
(Ryan Chadwick/ San Angelo LIVE! Photo)
The Lady Cats took down the powerhouse Lady Tigers at home, 43-41.
Central moved to 5-2 in the district and a 5-game winning streak with the win. They host the Midland Legacy Lady Rebels on Tuesday, Jan. 31, in San Angelo at 6 p.m.
BOBCATS 62 FRENSHIP 60 OT
The Bobcats took to the court following the ladies’ wild victory with a chip on their shoulder. The ‘Cats dropped the last three straight and hungrily looked to end the skid. Sturdy defense on both sides kept the game in check for the entire first half, but the Tigers led at the break 25-23.
Frenship’s offense exploded in the 3rd quarter as the Tigers outscored the Bobcats 23-13. Down 48-36 to start the 4th quarter, the Bobcats needed an answer. Jacob English and Jaedyn Gipson were that answer. English scored nine points in the 4th, including two clutch 3-point shots, while Gipson added seven. The Bobcats’ defense only allowed the Tigers eight points during the quarter, which allowed Central to claw back into it. At the end of the 4th quarter, the Bobcats roared back to tie the game at 56-56.
The Bobcats continued to play lockdown defense throughout overtime to keep pace and allow themselves to win the game. With just under eight seconds left in the contest, Jacob English launched up a three that went off the iron. Gipson soared up to snag the rebound from one of the Tigers and put the ball back into the basket. Central took the lead for good and won, 62-60.
The ‘Cats snap their 3-game losing streak at the end of the first half of district play. They still have a long way to go, but handing Frenship, their first loss certainly helps. The Bobcats host Midland Legacy on Tuesday, Jan. 31, in San Angelo immediately after the girls’ game.
Lady Cats celebrate their victory over Frenship
(Ryan Chadwick/ San Angelo LIVE! Photo)
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