ND GIRLS AVENGE LOSSES TO CENTRAL

Saturday afternoon's game at Tiger Fieldhouse produced two distinctly different messages for Notre Dame High and Cape Girardeau Central.

For Notre Dame, which won 46-41, it showed the Class 2A school that it can beat a quality Class 4A team that has won 17 games -- and therefore most 2A teams, also.

"It was a very good sign," said Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim.

For Central, which had beaten Notre Dame twice this season, it showed the Lady Tigers that a much improved effort will be necessary for an upset of Jackson, ranked third in Missouri Class 4A, on Tuesday in the semifinals of the District 1 tournament.

"We didn't show up," said Central coach Paula Watkins.

The difference was turnovers. Notre Dame committed just one in the second half, Central 10.

"They took care of the basketball, especially in the second half," Grim said. "They were patient today ... and worked for some good shots. I'm happy with our performance today."

Notre Dame, which will play host to Chaffee on Thursday before a first-round game at noon on Saturday against winless East Prairie in the District 2 tournament in Bloomfield, is 17-7. Central finished the regular season a surprising 17-8.

But Watkins felt it should be 18-7. She said the Lady Tigers struggled on offense, defense and on the boards.

"We played scared," Watkins said.

Central, the No. 3 seed, will meet No. 2 Jackson at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Tiger Fieldhouse.

"It's a bad loss for us but if we can come back and play well next week, this loss really won't mean anything," Watkins said. "We've only got one practice day to prepare for Jackson, and we've got a lot of things to get taken care of. District tournament time, do-or-die time, playing Jackson, I'm thinking we'll be up ready to play."

Notre Dame, ranked No. 10 in Missouri Class 2A, is eying another trip to the state tournament. The Lady Bulldogs finished second last season, and has almost the same team.

"Ever since we came back from state last year they've talked about, and everybody's talked about, going back up there this year," Grim said. "Especially since we beat Jackson (in the HealthSouth tournament in December), we've been putting pressure on ourselves. We're capable of beating any team we face, as long as we relax and play basketball."

Neither team led by more than six points Saturday, and the game was tied 28-28 entering the fourth quarter. A jumper by Olivia Beel gave Notre Dame a 38-32 lead with two and a half minutes left. The Lady Bulldogs made 8 of 10 free throws from there.

Notre Dame made 14 of 17 free throws in the fourth quarter and 20 of 27 for the game. Central attempted just five and made three.

Jennifer Glueck led Notre Dame with 12 points and Schlosser added 11 points and five rebounds. Beel had six points and six rebounds and Jill Huber had seven points and five rebounds.

For Central, Amy Harris finished with a game-high 18 points and 5-foot-11 freshman center Katie Dougherty added 12. No other Lady Tiger had more than four points, and Kim Aslinger, who is usually among Central's leaders, was held scoreless for the first time this season.