Shantydra Arnold awaits a referee’s call Tuesday night during Madison County’s 43-37 win over Loganville. Madison County meets rival Clarke Central Friday in the region championship.
A fitting final
Rivals Madison County, Clarke Central clashing for region title
Region supremacy in girls’ basketball has alternated between the campuses of Madison County and Clarke Central the last three seasons.
So it’s fitting that the two will square off for the 8-AAAA title Friday night in the sixth meeting in the last two seasons between these powerhouses.
“At this point, we know each other pretty well,” Madison County coach Dan Lampe said.
The game is at 7 p.m. at Winder-Barrow High School, host of this year’s region tournament.
Madison County is 70-17 the last three seasons, while Clarke Central is 67-17 in that span.
The Lady Raiders won the region title in 2007, while the Lady Gladiators took the crown in 2008 with a 21-point win over Madison County in the region final.
But Madison County (22-5), which has beaten Clarke Central (17-9) twice this year, goes for the hat-trick — and the region trophy — against the Lady Gladiators Friday.
“It’s all on how you sell it,” Lampe said.
He suspects Clarke Central coach Carla Johnson is selling her team on the premise that it’s hard to beat a team three times in a season.
Lampe, of course, will offer a different pitch to his team.
“I’ll try to sell my team on maybe we’ve got their number,” he said.
The Lady Raiders advanced to the region finals for the third-straight year with a pedestrian 43-37 victory over Loganville Tuesday night in the 8-AAAA semifinals.
“I’m glad we didn’t play them (Clarke Central) this game,” Lampe said.
The coach said his team typically has no motivation problems in big games, but lacked fire Tuesday.
“I didn’t feel like they got up for this game,” Lampe said.
Madison County fell behind 13-3 after a quarter and 18-17 at the half and didn’t assume command of the game until the third quarter, using a 10-0 run to take a 30-24 lead into the final period.
Courtney Freeman led the team with 15 points and Shantydra Arnold added 10 as the Lady Raiders won their 11th-straight game.
There shouldn’t be any lack of inspiration for Friday’s affair, however.
The power struggle between Madison County and Clarke Central, separated by just 20 miles, has turned this rivalry up a notch.
“Especially after last year,” Lampe said.
Madison County broke a long losing streak to Clarke Central with a 65-59 win on the Lady Gladiators’ home floor in 2008.
“They were upset about that one,” Lampe said.
So much, that Clarke Central made a Youtube video of its celebration weeks later when it avenged that loss with a 72-63 win in Danielsville. The Lady Gladiators then, of course, went on to beat Madison County in the region finals.
Madison County will try to prevent any more Youtube moments Friday and return the region title to Danielsville.
The Lady Raiders couldn’t be better acquainted with their competition.
“It’s definitely a rivalry,” Lampe said. “A lot of our girls know each other.”
So it’s fitting that the two will square off for the 8-AAAA title Friday night in the sixth meeting in the last two seasons between these powerhouses.
“At this point, we know each other pretty well,” Madison County coach Dan Lampe said.
The game is at 7 p.m. at Winder-Barrow High School, host of this year’s region tournament.
Madison County is 70-17 the last three seasons, while Clarke Central is 67-17 in that span.
The Lady Raiders won the region title in 2007, while the Lady Gladiators took the crown in 2008 with a 21-point win over Madison County in the region final.
But Madison County (22-5), which has beaten Clarke Central (17-9) twice this year, goes for the hat-trick — and the region trophy — against the Lady Gladiators Friday.
“It’s all on how you sell it,” Lampe said.
He suspects Clarke Central coach Carla Johnson is selling her team on the premise that it’s hard to beat a team three times in a season.
Lampe, of course, will offer a different pitch to his team.
“I’ll try to sell my team on maybe we’ve got their number,” he said.
The Lady Raiders advanced to the region finals for the third-straight year with a pedestrian 43-37 victory over Loganville Tuesday night in the 8-AAAA semifinals.
“I’m glad we didn’t play them (Clarke Central) this game,” Lampe said.
The coach said his team typically has no motivation problems in big games, but lacked fire Tuesday.
“I didn’t feel like they got up for this game,” Lampe said.
Madison County fell behind 13-3 after a quarter and 18-17 at the half and didn’t assume command of the game until the third quarter, using a 10-0 run to take a 30-24 lead into the final period.
Courtney Freeman led the team with 15 points and Shantydra Arnold added 10 as the Lady Raiders won their 11th-straight game.
There shouldn’t be any lack of inspiration for Friday’s affair, however.
The power struggle between Madison County and Clarke Central, separated by just 20 miles, has turned this rivalry up a notch.
“Especially after last year,” Lampe said.
Madison County broke a long losing streak to Clarke Central with a 65-59 win on the Lady Gladiators’ home floor in 2008.
“They were upset about that one,” Lampe said.
So much, that Clarke Central made a Youtube video of its celebration weeks later when it avenged that loss with a 72-63 win in Danielsville. The Lady Gladiators then, of course, went on to beat Madison County in the region finals.
Madison County will try to prevent any more Youtube moments Friday and return the region title to Danielsville.
The Lady Raiders couldn’t be better acquainted with their competition.
“It’s definitely a rivalry,” Lampe said. “A lot of our girls know each other.”
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