While the seedings for the District 13AA girls’ tournament were already essentially finalized, Covington put an exclamation point behind its name as league champion Friday night.
The Lady Chargers blew out to a 21-4 first-quarter lead and never looked back in a 73-56 victory over Obion Central to lock up the top seed in the upcoming 13AA event.
Obion Central could’ve forged a tie for first place by beating Covington, but a previously-held coin flip between OC, Covington and Westview had already assured Covington of first, Westview second and Central third had the Lady Rebels beaten Covington with Westview also beating Crockett County in its regular season finale Friday.
All of that was rendered academic with Covington’s impressive showing vs. OC.
The Lady Chargers forced 12 first-half turnovers and led by 25 (43-18) at the intermission to end Central’s nine-game winning streak.
In other results involving local teams from the final night of the regular season Friday, Covington — on the heels of having to forfeit all 24 of its victories and the top seed in the district tournament (see related story, bracket) — beat Obion Central 71-58 in boys’ play.
South Fulton split its last pre-tournament doubleheader, the Devilettes winning at Hickman County 69-36, and the Redmen dropping a 61-56 decision.
The following is a recap.
Covington 73, OC 56 (G)
Winners of 13 straight now, Covington (27-2, 17-1) was impressive in locking up the undisputed 13AA regular season title.
Previous Harvey and Asia Jones both scored 20 points, while Precious Dyson and Treasury Poindexter each tallied 18 markers for the host victors, who led by as many as 28 points at one point.
Obion Central did battle to the very end and cut a dozen points of that insurmountable deficit.
Rachel Jones had 12 of her career-high 16 points in the final period. Brandi Goodman matched Jones’ total for the Lady Rebels and also had seven rebounds.
Covington 71, OC 58 (B)
The Rebels gave a stunned Covington team all it could handle before coming up short at the end.
OC led 23-21 after one and was down by just three (39-36) at the half after Mike Klein made four 3-pointers.
Central actually took a brief lead in the third stanza on Zack King’s bucket, but the Chargers surged late in the stanza to a 57-50 lead.
Shaw Logan had 18 points and Klein 15 for the Rebels. Bryan Morris finished with nine rebounds, and King seven.
Obion Central did gain a win when Covington was forced to forfeit 24 victories and is now 14-13 heading into Tuesday’s 13AA quarterfinal game at Haywood. The Rebels are now seeded sixth, with Haywood No. 3.
SF 69, Hickman Co. 36 (G)
The Red Devilettes jumped out to a huge lead in the opening quarter and rolled to their 20th win of the season.
SF held a 20-3 advantage at the end of the first period and stetched that to 43-10 at the half and 60-26 at the end of three quarters.
Taleeah Cross led three South Fulton players in double figures with 16 points while also grabbing seven rebounds. Taylor Rodgers pitched in 15 points, and Laken Haley added 14 points.
Ka-lon Martin had nine points and 11 rebounds.
Now 20-6 overall, the Devilettes host Humboldt tonight at 6:30 in the quarterfinal round of the District 14A Tournament. The winner will be guaranteed three more postseason games, while the loser will be eliminated.
Hickman Co. 61, SF 56 (B)
The Red Devils ended the regular season with back-to-back losses after dropping road games to Union City on Thursday and across Kentucky state line vs. HC on Friday.
Head coach Wes Miller was displeased with the officiating, but said SF still had its chances down the stretch to pull out the victory.
A 15-6 second quarter surge by Hickman County proved to be the Devils’ ultimate undoing.
Tevaris James had 15 points and 11 rebounds to pace South Fulton, while both Harrison Hawks and Clint Well tallied 13 — Hawks before fouling out with four minutes to play.
T.J. Ingram finished with eight points and five assists.

Published in The Messenger 2.11.13