Burlington Central falls twice

The Rockets’ rally was too little, too late.

Burlington Central’s girls basketball team ended the game on an 8-3 run, but still fell to Sycamore, 59-39, in the Central High School Thanksgiving Tournament.

The Spartans led 55-27 early in the fourth quarter before Central rallied.

Sarah Nelson was the only Rocket in double figures with 12 points. After struggling to score early, the Rockets got a big lift from their bench. Amanda Ritchie was the second-leading scorer with 7 points, and JoJo DeSantis added 6 points and 7 rebounds off the bench.

Brenda Thasavong had 9 rebounds and 2 blocks for the Rockets, but the other 3 starters accounted for just 8 points and 7 boards.

Led by Lake Kwaza, the Spartans took control early. Kwaza scored 14 points in the first quarter as the Spartans took an 18-8 lead. Kwaza scored 19 of Sycamore’s 34 first-half points and finished with 25 despite sitting out the fourth quarter.

Ashley Leclair scored 8 points in the third quarter as the Spartans continued to pull away. She finished with 10.

Led by Thasavong and DeSantis, the Rockets outrebounded the Spartans, 33-31, but couldn’t overcome cold shooting and 29 turnovers.

Woodstock 45, Burlington Central 42: Brenda Thasavong had 15 points and Jessica Laird added 9 but the Rockets came up short despite outscoring Woodstock 18-4 in the fourth quarter.