The Todd County Central Lady Rebels had their defense cranked up to high Friday night, and it paid off. The Lady Rebels used a strong 2nd quarter defensive effort to spur them on to a 44-34 win at Franklin-Simpson.
It appeared the night would be a defensive effort all the way around, as neither the Lady Rebels nor the Lady Wildats reached double figures in the first quarter. Todd Central limited Franklin-Simpson to just two field goals in the first quarter, and got enough offensively to end the quarter up 9-6.
The Lady Rebel defense clamped down even more in the 2nd quarter. Todd Central held the Lady Wildcats to one 3-point field goal and one free throw, while the Lady Rebel offense put up 13 points to extend the lead to 22-10.
Playing on their home court, the Lady Wildcats though were determined not to go down without a fight, and after they made their big run it was game on. Franklin-Simpson heated up in the 3rd quarter, putting 18 points on the board, while holding Todd County to just 7 points. By the end of the quarter, the Lady Wildcats trailed only by one at 29-28.
But the comeback win was not to be on this night for the homestanding Lady Wildcats. The Todd County Central defense honed back in, limiting the Lady Wildcats to just 6 points in the final quarter, all from freshman Alera Barbee. Meanwhile, the Lady Rebels offense got back on track behind the play of Amy Brumfield and Alexis O’Daniel to pull back out for the 10 point win.
Brumfield led the Lady Rebels with 12 points, while Michaela Robertson added 11. For Franklin-Simpson, Alera Barbee paced the Lady Wildcat attack with 14 points, and Kate Norwood chipped in with 12.
The win, which is the 5th in the last six games for the Lady Rebels, improves their record to 8-10 on the season.