Today's Sports

Chiefland faithful would have been forgiven for carrying low expectations into the Indians home finale against Crystal River.

The Pirates, a Class 6A program that’s been on the rise over the last four years, cruised into town with one of its better squads in school history to face a sophomore-laden Indians squad.

The overall result went as expected, with CRHS prevailing 75-53.

But Chiefland, which already trailed by as much as 19 points in the second quarter, reined in their deficit in the second half, avoiding getting overwhelmed in the mismatch. The Indians stayed to within 15 points for much of the fourth quarter.

Chiefland appeared to gain confidence in the paint against the much bigger squad as the game wore on, competing for more put-backs and points around the rim. CRHS took advantage of some breakaway scores in the early minutes.

The squad got a boost from junior Kirk Williams, who, with nine points, was his most active in a game since returning from an ankle injury. L.J. Jenkins also provided a lift after being limited with an injury.

The Chiefland girls (12-8) are the No. 3 seed in next week's District 1A-7 tournament in Trenton. They face Cedar Key Monday, Feb. 5, at 6. The Lady Indians defeated the Lady Sharks twice in the regular season, 39-31 and 55-43. The winner plays Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. versus No. 2 seed Branford or No. 7-seeded Bell. Bronson kicks off the tournament at 4:30 Monday against Dixie County. The championship game will be held Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

District 1A-7 Girls’ Basketball Tournament in Trenton
Monday, Feb. 5
Game 1: No. 5 Dixie County Bears vs. No. 4 Bronson Eagles, 4:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 6 Cedar Key Sharks vs. No. 3 Chiefland Indians, 6 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Bell Bulldogs vs. No. 2 Branford Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 8
Game 4: winner of Game 2 vs. winner of Game 3, 6 p.m.
Game 5: No. 1 Trenton Tigers vs. winner of Game 1, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 9
Championship game: winner of Game 4 vs. winner of Game 5, 7:30 p.m.
 

It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Chiefland girls’ basketball team.

The Lady Indians were tasked with adjusting to a world without do-it-all standout Takiya London, who helped lead the squad to four-straight playoff berths and a final four, while acclimating an inexperienced group of younger players under a new head coach in Buddy Vickers.

While the program certainly is building for times ahead – Vickers likes to call it a five-year plan – the team hasn’t let this season become a forgettable sacrifice for the future, as Chiefland, with a pair of recent wins over county rivals Bronson and Williston, has guaranteed itself a winning season and heads into the district tournament as a No. 3 seed.

On senior night Jan. 23, the Lady Indians cruised to a 52-22 win over Bronson, before knocking off the Lady Red Devils 50-35 on the road Jan. 29.

If there was an encouraging development for Chiefland in their loss to Dixie County Jan. 16, it was that the Indians, despite missing so many layups and struggling to find much momentum on offense beyond point guard Jalen Rutledge, remained in the game until the final two minutes, trailing by just six points at one point in the final quarter.

But the misses proved too costly in the end, as the Bears pulled away in the final moments, stretching out their advantage for a 79-63 win in Chiefland.

Dixie County is still alive for the No. 2 seed in District 1A-7 after beating Trenton 61-53 on Jan. 22. Bell is the top seed.

After trailing by as much as 15 in the third quarter, Chiefland got its deficit down to 54-48 early in the four on an Austin Adams floater. Dixie County responded with back-to-back buckets, including one off a pickpocket takeaway, before L.J. Jenkins converted on three free throws to get Chiefland back within seven.

The Bears continued to toy with a double-digit margin however, and CMHS junior Payne Parnell gave his team its final single-digit margin of deficit with three free throws just before the two-minute mark.