Sicily Island outlasts CHS in state playoffs

SICILY ISLAND _ The Sicily Island Tigers edged past the Centerville Bulldogs 57-51 in the Class 1A bidistrict Friday at the Sicily High School Gymnasium.
In a game in which 51 fouls were called and 77 free throws were taken, Sicily Island connected on 31 of 42 freebies to pull out the 57-51 win.
Centerville had four starters in foul trouble in the first half, three with three fouls and one with four, and despite that held a 9-point halftime lead, 30-21.
However, the Bulldogs could not withstand the foul trouble and lost, mainly at the free throw line. For the game, the Bulldogs could only convert on 13 of 35 free throw attempts, while the home-standing Tigers hit on 31 of 42.
The Tigers only made 11 field goals on the night.
Centerville finishes the season at 12-11.
On Friday, Centerville opened with a 19-12 lead in the first period. The Bulldogs went on an 11-9 run in the second quarter for a 30-21 halftime cushion. Sicily Island registered a 21-11 run in the third quarter for a 42-41 advantage. Sicily Island outpointed Centerville 15-10 down the stretch to pull out the 57-51 win.
Marquis Strawder led Centerville in scoring with 16 points on 3-2’s, 3-3’s and 1 of 5 free throws.
Marvin Strawder also scored in double digits with 14 points on 3-2’s, 2-3’s and 2 of 4 free throws.
Rounding out the scoring for Centerville were: Jayvien Thomas, 8; Desmond Monette, 6; Karl Young, 4; Lance Howard, 2 and Cole Candella, 1.
Sicily Island’s Devion Dunbar led all scorers with 20 points.