Fourth Seeds Triumph At North Shelby

 Fourth Seeds Triumph At North Shelby

By David Sharp

Fifth ranked Marion County lived up to their billing when the fourth seeded Lady Mustangs (11-2) powered to a 53-27 victory over second seeded Scotland County in the girls’ championship game of the 21st Annual North Shelby Tournament.
Marion County got past top seeded Schuyler County (9-5) in the tournament semi-finals by a 55-46 margin after topping North Shelby 51-35 in the first round.
LaPlata came from the fourth slot to the boys’ championship, defeating Knox County (9-5) 60-55 in the first place game. Curtiss Bunch fired in 24 LaPlata points to lead all scorers. Dennis Dent paced three Eagles in double figures with 15 points.
Second seeded Knox County ended eighth ranked Brashear’s 11 game unbeaten streak with a 73-65 victory in the semi-final round. The Tigers (11-2) and top seed Schuyler County hooked up in a tight third place game. The Rams (10-4) avenged a earlier season overtime loss with a 72-62 overtime win for third place.
Scotland County (4-12) tossed in four first half three pointers and edged an improving North Shelby boys’ team (4-6) by a 48-37 margin in the boys’ consolation game. Derek Jackson fired in a 17 footer at the buzzer for Atlanta’s first win (1-11) over Marion County (0-11) in the boys’ seventh place game 46-44.
Third seeded Knox County evened their season mark at 7-7 with a hard fought 37-31 victory over conference rival Schuyler County (9-5) in the girls’ third place game. The Lady Eagles rode a fast start, heart and solid execution to the win.
Danielle Rich led five seed North Shelby (3-7) to a 39-31 win over seventh seeded LaPlata (7-4) for the girls’ consolation championship. Brashear (4-10) snapped a nine game losing skid with a 49-36 victory over Atlanta (1-10) in the girls’ seventh place contest.