As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

Windsor Stewardson-Strasburg - 51 vs. Central A&M - 48

1Q: WSS - 17 - CAM - 12

2Q: WSS - 32 - CAM - 20

3Q: WSS - 42 - CAM - 39

4Q: WSS - 51 - CAM - 48

Central A&M benefitted from some big-time threes from Woods with 6 in the first quarter and the paint presence from Hardimon and Snearly for the other 6. Kendra Hayes of the Hatchets alongside Katelyn VonBehrens led the way with 9 and 6 respectively in the opening frame. Central A&M's second-quarter woes and defensive rebounding troubles made the deficit going into halftime 12 points.

The second half, much like the one had to open Regionals against Cerro-Gordo/Bement was excellent for Central A&M. High/Low basketball was on display and senior Gwyn Hardimon scored 10 of the 19 points scored for the Raiders all inside the painted area. Snearly was also efficient down below tacking on 4 more. The overall defensive effort picked up intensely holding the Hatchets to 10 points.

The fourth quarter was relatively even with each team having scored 9 points a piece. Fouls began to add up for Central A&M moving them into the bonus with time on the clock while Windsor Stewardson/Strasburg managed to stay mostly scot-free. And while a questionable sequence of events and calls transpired at and under 30 seconds remaining in the contest, Central A&M gave their visiting fans something to really cheer for clawing back in the second half.

Scoring totals:

Hardimon: 16 points

Paradee: 8 points

Roe: 2 points

Moore: 3 points

Woods: 12 points

Snearly: 7 points

Keys to the game:

- Defensive Rebounding issues in the first half as well as some turnovers (both cleaned up greatly in the second half)

- Second quarter that led to an incomplete ball game

- Second-half intensity was fantastic

- Paint presence was nearly immaculate in the final two quarters

Congratulations to the Central A&M Girls Basketball team on a hard-fought season. A team of seniors and others that struggled in the first half of the year but really turned things up a notch as the season went on. While tonight is the end of the basketball careers for 6 seniors, there is much to be proud of for them considering their display of resiliency.

The six seniors, four of which were starters for the bulk of the season, include:

#10 - Gwyn Hardimon

#12 - Holly Paradee

#22 - Kinadee Dial

#23 - Sophie Roe

#24 - Jocie Moore

#34 - Lyndi Woods

I would like to wish all six of the seniors the best of luck in their next ventures, whatever those may be. Thank you for putting on your best so I might try and do the same.

Coach Mitch Cloe of the Raiders Girls Basketball team stopped post-game to chat with us about the game at hand, the season that just came to a close, and the future of Raiders Girls Basketball.

To hear said post-game interview, tap below:

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #10 Gwyn Hardimon (16 points)