The Central High School Lady Lions basketball team (12-12) pulled out a strong win against Bayside Academy 54-43 this past Saturday, sending them to Mobile to compete against Abbeville.

“Free-throws and lay-ups win games, but defense wins championships,” said Coach Trent Woodley of the Central High School Lady Lions basketball team.

Woodley stressed that the team played aggressively and were making the right decisions on the court during the game.

“The players are taking their time and making good shot selections,” said Woodley.

Before the half, Latosha Coleman, an eighth grader, gave the Lions a decisive lead against Bayside with a deep three-point basket at the buzzer.

The Lions battled Calhoun High School in weeks prior, going 1-1 with the Lady Tigers, with a decisive 39-49 win in the most recent game.

Coach Eddie Howard of Calhoun High School praised the inside game Central played from the tip-off during the most recent game between the Lady Lions and Lady Tigers.

“It‘s been a good season,” said Howard. “The girls have really played team ball and we have been able to accomplish a lot in spite of the loss of five senior starters.”

Howard remarked about the sturdiness of the Lions defense.

“Our players didn’t play at their fullest potential or normal rate of speed,” he said.

“We didn’t get off to a good start,” Howard added. “One of our newest contributing players, Jasmine Means, got into foul trouble early in the game.”

The Lady Tigers’ coach complimented the both teams on a well-played game.

“They (Lions) were more mentally prepared, quicker on their feet,” Howard said. “While we were more in tune to playing as though this game was the outcome instead of playing until the outcome of the game.”

The Lions will face off against Abbeville today at 3 p.m. in the Mobile regional game.

The region championship game is set for Saturday at 3:40 p.m. if the Lions win.