Central and Ste. Genevieve Advance to Christmas Tournament Girls Championship Game

(Park Hills) The top seeded and number one ranked team in Class 4, Central defeated Arcadia Valley 75-44 to reserve the first spot in the Central Christmas Tournament championship game. Central built an 11 point first half lead, but Arcadia Valley was able to whittle it down to six by halftime behind an 11/14 effort at the foul line. The Rebels ran away in the second half, outscoring the Tigers 49-24.

Kaley Kimball scored 24 for Central. Sophia Horton had 18.

Central coach Josh Mapes they are happy to be playing for the championship…

Arcadia Valley’s Gracee Smith did not score in the first quarter, but finished with a game high 25.

Central improves to 8-0 and will play Ste. Genevieve for the championship on Thursday.

Arcadia Valley (5-4) falls to Central for the second time this season. They’ll go to the third place game.

Post Game Interview with Josh Mapes:

Post Game Interview with Ricky Turnbough:

Full Game Audio:

In the second semi final Ste. Genevieve topped Steelville 61-46 to move on to the championship for the second straight year. The #2 Dragons started out hot, but the Cardinals battled back to a halftime deficit of 28-26. It was all Dragons in the second half though as they started with a 7-0 run out of the gate before seeing their lead balloon to 15 at the final buzzer. Megan Aubuchon torched the Cardinals for 11 of her game high 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Aubuchon was named our Applebee’s of Farmington Player of the Game. The Dragons down the Cardinals for the second straight year and head coach Jordanna Walk-Robison says she had turn up the defensive pressure to get the job done this time.

The Dragons improve to 4-2 and will play the #1 Central Rebels in the championship Thursday night while the Cardinals fall to 8-3 and will take on the #5 Arcadia Valley Tigers in the 3rd place match up on Thursday.

Post Game Interview with Jordanna Walk-Robison: