Tyrone and Central have made for some pretty exciting match-ups this year, both boys and girls, but the Lady Eagles 44-42 victory against the Dragons Tuesday night in the District 6 AAA Semifinals may have been the best game of the season between the Mountain League rivals.

Despite having beat the Lady Dragons in close contests two times this season, the Lady Eagles played from behind practically all game.  But sophomore Sydney Shaw hit another clutch three from the corner in the final minute to take the lead for good with 47.6 seconds left.

“That was a huge shot,” said Head Coach Luke Rhoades. “Sydney hit big shots in the last game to keep us in that one, and then for her to hit that shot tonight…that’s a big a shot for a sophomore, and I’m really proud of her”

Shawwas guarded tightly all game. However, she finally got an open look and converted when it mattered. This might not have been like her 29 point performance last game, but it still was just as big of an impact performance from Shaw.

Senior Kasey Engle led the team with 18 points and accounted 10 of the teams 15 in the first half.

Senior Alexis Cannistraci followed closely behind with 14 and did some tough work underneath to getting rebounds. Both girls also hit key shots down the stretch to lead the Lady Eagles to yet another victory.

“We couldn’t win the way that we were scoring,” said Rhoades. “I told the girls at halftime that we couldn’t be one dimensional or we’re in trouble. In the second half, some other girls stepped up and put the ball in the basket at key times, and that was very important.”

The Lady Eagles take on West Shamokin Saturday in the District 6 AAA Championship game. The game is at Mount Aloysius College at 4:00

BOX SCORE

CENTRAL (42): Johnston 5 0-0 10, Mock 3 3-4 9, Kensinger 0 0-0 0, Negley 1 2-4 4, Fernades 6 0-0 15, M. Metzler 1 0-0 2, Brumbaugh 0 2-2 2, K. Metzger 0 0-0 0, Mock 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 7-10 42.

TYRONE (44): Kosoglow 1 0-0 2, Engle 7 4-7 18, Cannistraci 4 5-8 14, Shaw 3 1-1 8, Lehman 0 2-2 2, Ronan 0 0-0 0, Wagner 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 12-18 44.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Central 8 15 9 10 — 42

Tyrone 9 6 16 13 — 44

3-point goals: Central 3 (Fernades); Tyrone 2 (Cannistraci, Shaw).

Records: Central (18-6); Tyrone (21-3)