Middle school hoops wraps season with conference tournament
Jamie Shell / (sports@averyjournal.com)
Cranberry and Avery middle schools concluded their 2012 middle school basketball seasons at the Toe River Conference boys and girls basketball tournaments, held last week at Cane River Middle School.
AMS came home with a pair of runner-up finishes in tournament play. Following a first round victory by a 48-32 final score against Cranberry and a thrilling 59-56 overtime victory against Harris in the tourney semifinals, the Panthers took on Bowman in the tournament title game on Saturday, Dec. 15. Unfortunately, the Panthers' Cinderella ride came up one game short, as Bowman captured the championship in dominant fashion by the final score of 66-42.
In ladies action, AMS earned a first-round bye, while Cranberry tangled with Harris on Wednesday, Dec. 12, in opening-round competition. The Lady Blue Devils proved too tough to tame, as HMS defeated CMS by a final score of 43-20 to advance to play Avery in the semifinals.
AMS showed no ill effects or rust following the bye into the semis, as it took care of Harris 30-18 in a low-scoring affair to set up a championship matchup against host Cane River. Avery played with heart and passion, but Cane River and its home court advantage proved too strong, as the Lady Rebels won the championship by the final score of 41-20.
