Lady Tigers earn second-round playoff victory over Sierra as Independence looms

Bobbie Henry led all scorers with 17 points while Taylor Vasquez and Katelyn Cole tossed in 10 points apiece.

On Tuesday, the Tigers will travel to Independence High School for a semifinal matchup. Game time is 7 p.m. If Lemoore wins, it will play the winner of the Redwood and Tulare Western game in the championship game. Independence defeated Monache Friday night 56-38. Independence is 20-6 overall while Lemoore is 18-9.

On Friday night the Tigers took the early lead on baskets by Bobbie Henry and Jazmine Taylor, each of whom tossed in 5 and 6 points respectively in the first quarter as the Tigers took a 15-7 leading heading into the second period.

Sierra fought back, fueled by the second-period absence of Henry, who quickly picked up her third foul. Sierra’s Maesyn Rix, with just seconds left in the first half, pulled down an offensive rebound and scored to pull the Chieftains to within just one point at 23-22.

The Tigers took back control in the second half. Henry returned to set the one with a quick opening basket and a 25-22 lead. She scored twice more as Lemoore began pulling away, taking a 32-25 lead headed into the final period.

Henry’s offensive rebound and quick basket made it 34-25 and a 3-point basket from Katelyn Cole put Lemoore up by 15 points as the Tigers never looked back.