Lucas has record night to pace Centennial girls

Adam Candee

Friday, Feb. 27, 2004 | 10:46 a.m.

RENO -- It is difficult to predict who will lead Centennial, a team defined by its lack of a single star, in tonight's state title game against Reno.

For one night, though, the Bulldogs gladly followed the lead of a single star. Freshman guard Italee Lucas, sparkling headband and all, grabbed the spotlight Thursday at Lawlor Events Center and refused to share it as the Bulldogs ripped Reed, 90-59, to head into their third consecutive state championship game.

Lucas broke the 4A record and tied the overall state mark by scoring 42 points as the two-time defending state champion Bulldogs (SS-1) ran their record to 30-2 and remained perfect against in-state competition. She had 19 points in the first quarter alone, hitting the Raiders (N-2) with a stunning blow from which they never recovered.

Reno (N-1) earned its title game berth by easily handling Desert Pines (SR-1), 74-56, in the other semifinal. Centennial rolled past Reno, 69-39, in a December contest, just Lucas' third varsity game.

Lucas admitted to having some jitters, but they quickly disappeared as she blew past the old 4A record of 37 points set by Cimarron-Memorial's Georgette Brewer in 1995, also against Reed.

"A little nervous, but you've got to be a little nervous to play a good game," Lucas said. "You can't be overconfident."

Centennial coach Karen Weitz, never one to praise an individual over the team, said that any of her players is capable of a night like the one Lucas had. That said, this 5-foot-8 freshman playing her first state tournament game awed the crowd.

"To me, I thought this was the firmest and most aggressive I've seen her play all year," Weitz said. "I think, you know what, if you're going to pick a game to do it or a time to start doing it, no better time than the present."

Lucas enjoyed the stage and the heavily pro-Reed crowd, who helped create a big-game atmosphere at Lawlor.

"I love the crowd," Lucas said. "I like to play for them."

Lucas had seven of Centennial's 29 steals as the Bulldogs pressured Reed into turnovers throughout the game. Maria Moore led the Raiders with 25 points, but Reed never got back into the game after the Bulldogs grabbed a 10-point lead after the first-quarter heroics of Lucas.

"She just absolutely destroyed us," Reed coach Richard Shaw said of Lucas.

Sierra Chambers added 12 points and Jordyn Bowen totaled 11 points and 13 rebounds for Centennial.

Desert Pines, the other Southern entry, faded quickly against a superior Reno squad. Katie Williams scored 20 points to pace the Jaguars, whose youth gives coach Jim Richmond plenty of hope despite Thursday's outcome.

"This isn't the last time you're going to see us up here," Richmond said.

The Jaguars looked flat as Reno calmly picked apart their press for numerous easy baskets. Three Huskies scored in double figures and Desert Pines could not match their quick scoring.

"This is probably the best competition we've played all year," Richmond said.

Tipoff for the championship game is slated for 8 p.m.