Every team has certain moments that define the season.  For the Whitewright Lady Tigers it came Friday night when they found themselves trailing the Frankston Maidens by 17 points with time running out in the third.  Whitewright charged back to tie the Class 2A area playoff contest 61-61 with just under two minutes on the clock. 

 

Frankston is difficult to match up with because their best outside shooter is senior post Kim Boling.  Boling knocked down 21 points to lead the Lady Maidens, but Whitewright had a player match her point for point.  Shalonda Arterberry took over late in the third frame, dropping in nine points in the final three minutes of the third period to help Whitewright start reeling in the Lady Maidens.

 

Tori Montgomery nailed back-to-back buckets to close the gap to 57-55 with 3:13 left in the fourth quarter, however a jumper by Jameka King stretched the lead to four points.  Brittany Bearden sliced into the lane and hit from eight feet out.  Boling stung Whitewright on the next play when she got a call in the lane that sent Montgomery to the bench with five fouls. Arterberry forced the Lady Maidens to foul and her free throws made the score 61-59 with two minutes remaining.  Bearden grabbed a steal and the ensuing lay-up tied the game 61-61. Boling calmly netted a pair of free throws.  Bearden worked inside, pulled down an offensive rebound and went back up for the tying bucket with 90 seconds left in regulation.  With the game in the balance, Boling called for the ball down low and the senior post hit her biggest shot of the night from the baseline to give Frankston the lead, 65-63.  The Lady Maidens added a free throw and with 10 seconds showing on the clock, Whitewright got one last chance.  Arterberry’s shot was good, but Frankston avoided the foul and the Lady Maidens escaped with a 66-65 win.

 

Whitewright’s standout post, Tori Montgomery, wrapped up her high school basketball career by scoring 19 points and grabbing almost that many rebounds.  The Tigers youth movement didn’t fade under the pressure, with sophomore Shalonda Arterberry chalking up 21 points against the quick Lady Maidens and freshman Brittany Bearden chipping in a dozen.  Juniors Kendra Franklin and Ashley Kidwell picked up nine points and two points respectively.  Senior Stephanie Nelson held her own in the paint and added two points to round out the Lady Tiger scoring.

 

Frankenston was led by Kim Boling’s 21 points, followed by Shaterica Baker with 16 points and Loren Brown with 11.