Sprayberry Lady Jackets Defeat Osborne Cardinals

The Lady Cardinals hopes for winning the Hiram Holiday Classic came to an end in the semifinals Tuesday with a 63-51 loss to Sprayberry.

The Sprayberry Lady Yellow Jackets started in the lead with two 3-pointers, then a 2-pointer. The Cardinals soon came back but the first period ended with the Yellow Jackets in the lead 16-14. The two teams stayed neck and neck until the back half of the game where the Yellow Jackets took the game.

"We've won our last four games in a row," said Sprayberry head coach Mark Giles said before the game. "Team chemistry is getting better."

By understanding their teammates, each player knows what to expect from each other and where to go, he said.

The top scorer of the game was Sprayberry's No. 42, Nadia Ogene, who scored 23 points. Osborne's top shooter was No. 1 Ebonee Allen, who scored 21 points.

Sprayberry is a "tough team to play; a lot of shooters," said Osborne head coach Melanie Shepherd. She went on to say that the two teams will meet again later in the season, since they are in the same region.

Osborne will return Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. to play for third place in the tournament. Sprayberry play for the tournament championship Wednesday at 7 p.m.