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Elkin scored 12 points and was hanging with the Lady Bulldogs, but they would only score 17 the remaining 24 minutes, as Thomasville turned up the energy and exploded in a 75-29 romping.
“If there is anything I am disappointed with, it is our vision on the court,” said coach Lacardo Means. “I am pleased with their effort and we were naturally a little more talented. We are just trying to get to next week.”
Christine Cole scored a career-high 18 points and Christina Carter added 15 to lead a balanced attack.
The Bucking Elks had closed within six late in the first quarter when Alli Newman converted on the baseline, but a Chasity McCurdy three with two seconds left, triggered what would prove to be the deciding run.
Carrying over into the second quarter, Talia McMaster buried a 3 to continue what turned out to be a 15-0 run. Cole was a one woman show during the stretch, scoring on three chances in the lane and a jumper from 15 feet. When Taylor Stike mercifully ended the onslaught with a 3 of her own, it was responded with a jumper from Christina Carter and trey from Ray to make for a 41-15 halftime score.
Thomasville was doing all of this without Tia Davis, who was out nursing an injury from the YVC championship game. That meant someone else would have to pick up the slack, and that someone was Cole.
“I knew we had to have somebody to step up,” said Cole.
Earlier in the year Cole became a bit timid after getting her tooth knocked out against Grimsley, but the past few games she has become a dangerous threat, especially from the outside.
“I knew I had to step up and try to overcome that [injury],” she said.
Means is excited with the intensity and style she has developed recently.
“She sort of lost her mental toughness, but she is getting that back now,” said Means.
Thomasville will be at home again on Wednesday to play the NCSMS/Gray Stone winner. A win in that game could set up a rematch with Bishop-McGuinness in the sectional finals. The Villains are the two-time defending champions that have knocked the Lady Bulldogs out of the playoffs two years running. When asked if she would like another crack at them, Cole answered, “More than anything.”
But Wednesday is all that’s on her mind for now.
“Everybody has the same goal and is showing heart,” said Cole. “We are just trying to get to the next round.”
Ray added 15 points in the win with Jordan Eldridge leading Elkin with 13.