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Lamar Russell bid a tearful good-bye to his second-year players after a tough 22-19 home loss to West Forsyth on Feb. 3.

The War Eagles beat West decisively (47-31) in early January, they were riding a 6-1 stretch and they jumped to an 8-3 lead in the first quarter in the rematch with the Titans.

But West made big plays in the fourth quarter to stop Davie’s winning streak at three.

Carleigh Croom and Britany Hernandez each hit one free throw late in the fourth quarter, the latter pulling Davie within 20-18 with 54 seconds remaining. Davie came up with a steal, but then misfired from 18 feet out. After Davie missed two free throws at :26 when it was still 20-18, West got a breakaway layup to all but clinch victory.

Tasia Tarpley (six), Hernandez (five), Kaylee Lynch (four) and Croom (three) did the Davie scoring. Lynch added 12 rebounds. Davie finished 8-8 overall and third in the Central Piedmont Conference at 6-4.

Hernandez was the No. 1 scorer for the season at 10.2 – no small feat for a freshman. Lynch was invaluable while posting 6.5 points and 13.2 rebounds. The third and fourth scorers were Croom (6.0) and Tarpley (5.4).

After time ran out against West, Russell reflected on the past two years, which included 18 victories and a bonding that is immeasurable.

“This sophomore group is very special to me because they’re the girls that I came in with,” he said. “I got to have (Hannah McMillian, Tarpley, Croom and Lynch) both years. It’s going to be tough to see them go. They might be replaceable on the court, but never replaceable in my heart or memories. I’m very thankful for them.”