Long-time rivals now close friends

Nathan Hutchinson

RICHMOND — Lyndsay Jones and Elizabeth Horn have been playing against each basically ever since they were both barely old enough to dribble a basketball.

And at times, especially during middle school, they developed a fierce rivalry.

“It used to be that we didn’t like each other very much,” said Jones, a senior at Madison Central.

However, over the past couple of years, the two intense competitors on the court have become close off the court.

“You don’t usually associate with your rivals, but sometimes you find out they can be your best friends,” said Horn, a senior at Berea Community. “We are a lot alike. So, we’ve become good friends.”

The two long-time rivals will meet one more time when Madison Central (19-9) takes on Berea Comm-unity today (6:30 p.m.) in the opening round of the 44th District Tournament at McBrayer Arena.

The winner will advance to the final (Friday — 6:30 p.m.) and will earn a spot in next week’s 11th Region Tournament.

Southern and Model will meet in the other semifinal, which is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

“I’m sure it will be emotional because one of us will be on top and one of us will be defeated,” Horn said.

Central won the district title last season and certainly enter the tournament as the heavy favorite. The Lady Indians won 11 straight earlier in the season and will be looking for their 20th win when they take on Berea.

Central won the only meeting the regular-season, 74-48 in Richmond on Jan. 6, between the two schools, but still first-year Central coach Robert Cooksey knows his team can’t look past the Lady Pirates.

“We are going to prepare like we don’t want to play our last game,” he said. “Berea is dangerous, they are solid and they are going to be ready to play.”

Jones, a senior point guard, has once again provided solid leadership for the Indians, while sophomore standout Jenna Cornelison, junior forward Brislyn Sizemore and junior guard Christina Ciolek have contributed to one of the best offenses in the 11th Region.

The Lady Pirates have won nine of their past 11 since losing to Central and head into the tournament with a 15-9 record.

Horn leads a group of four talented Berea seniors, including Haley Webb and Chelsea Saylor. The school’s all-time leading rebounder is averaging a double-double and Britt-any Harris is among the state leaders in three-pointers.

“We’ve been preparing for the district tournament for the last six games,” Berea coach Jerry Bingham said. “We wanted to be playing well going into that game with Central. I think we’re playing pretty well. I really do.”



Madison Southern- Model Laboratory

The Lady Eagles and Lady Patriots struggled at times during the regular-season, but the winner of their showdown on Wednesday at McBrayer Arena will advance to the district final.

Model (3-17) picked up a hard-fought 62-60 win on Feb. 5 in Richmond in the only meeting this year between the two schools.

Southern (1-21) has not won since a victory over Pulaski County on Dec. 5.

The Lady Eagles defeated Model in the first round of the district last season, 54-38.

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