From staff reports

Every time Murrah steps on the court, the two-time defending Class 5A champions have a target on their back. Warren Central coach Donny Fuller has a different target in mind, however, and didn’t mind the Lady Mustangs stealing one from his team.

Brandi Simmons scored 24 points, and Murrah made an early lead stand up in beating WC 53-43 in the regular-season finale for both teams on Friday night in Jackson.

Sha’Kayla Caples scored a game-high 27 points to lead Warren Central, which got little to no playing time from three injured players and no points from star guard Karnina Bunch.

Fuller said it was tough to face Murrah short-handed, but it was more important to rest his ailing players for next week’s Division 4-5A Tournament.

The Lady Vikes open the tournament on Tuesday at 4 p.m. against host Provine. WC’s boys’ team will also play Provine, the two-time defending Class 5A champs, at 5:30.

“We wanted to beat Murrah. But we needed to hold some kids out that were sick and hurt. We need to get them well for Tuesday, because that’s when it counts,” Fuller said. “I felt good that afterward, every one of them that was out there felt like we could whip them if we play them again.”

Murrah jumped out to a 14-5 lead at the end of the first quarter and never relinquished it.

Warren Central (22-4) got close a few times, but was never able to put together a run to surge in front. One reason for that was a strong defensive effort against Bunch, WC’s second-leading scorer.

Warren Central also went just 8-for-21 from the free throw line, further hurting its cause.