Junior Lady Bison come up short in district finals

Carlisle's Leigh Ann Wolfe shoots for two of her 17 points in the finals of the district tournament Thursday night. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

@markbuffalo

SHERWOOD — The Carlisle Junior Lady Bison gave all it had for four quarters but couldn’t overcome England’s long-range shooting in the finals of the Class 1A/2A District 13 championship game Thursday night at Abundant Life Schools.

England beat Carlisle 46-40, ending the Junior Lady Bison’s season at 11-6. 

“I’m very proud of my girls,” Carlisle coach Jonathan Buffalo said. “They fought all the way to the end.”

Carlisle jumped out to a 10-4 lead on the three-point shooting of Caty Parker, Hailey Thrift and Leigh Ann Wolfe. Thrift also hit a free throw during the run.

England tied the game at 10-10 on six consecutive points by Logan Wilson. Carlisle’s Kyla Bush hit a short jumper with 33 seconds left in the first quarter to give the Junior Lady Bison a 12-10 lead. 

Carlisle pushed its lead to 14-10 early in the second quarter on two free throws by Wolfe. However, England’s hit consecutive three-pointers — one each by Wilson and Emma Mackey — to take a 16-14 lead.

Carlisle led 19-18 at halftime after Thrift hit 1 of 2 free throws with 10 seconds left. 

The third quarter saw England outscore Carlisle 14-9 to lead 32-23 heading into the fourth quarter. Carlisle tied the score at 32-32 following two throws each by Wolfe and Audry Fortner. Wolfe’s came via a technical foul on an England player. 

Carlisle’s least lead came at 35-35 following a basket by Thrift with 3:34 left. England then went on a 9-0 run, which included three-pointers by Wilson and Mackey, to lead 44-36 with 1:21 left.

carlisle cut the deficit back to four at 44-40 with 24.5 seconds left but England iced the game with 19 seconds left.

England had 33 turnovers as compared to Carlisle’s 24. However, England hit six three-pointers to four for the Junior Lady Bison. 

Wolfe led Carlisle with 17 points. Thrift had 11. Parker finished with five. Gracie Grown scored four. Bush had two and Gracien Byrd hit a free throw.

Wilson led England with 17 points. Dynasty Johnson added 11.