Wilcox Central used a series of runs to pull away from Keith in a 67-44 win to advance to the championship game of the Selma Holiday Tournament.

The win was sweet for a Jaguar team that fell to Keith twice last season.

“Guys wanted a chance get revenge on Keith High,” said Wilcox Central coach Mark Dukes. “They were looking forward to this game.”

Both teams battled back and forth in the early going, with neither gaining a clear advantage. Trailing 19-14 early in the second quarter, the Bears went on an 8-3 run capped by a Terrance Collins layup to tie the game at 22-22.

The Jaguars broke the tie with a 13-2 run sparked by 3-pointers from Devin Coleman, Kendric Atwood and Stephon Butler to take a 35-24 lead into halftime.

“Our guys kind of let our guard down the last two minutes of the first half,” said Keith coach Tommy Tisdale. “They shot the ball really well tonight.”

Trailing by 17 points early in the third period, an 8-0 Keith run trimmed the lead to 41-32. But the run would be the Bears’ last bright spot of the game.

Wilcox Central rekindled its shooting touch, and responded with a 14-0 run to take a commanding 55-32 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The run was aided by Keith turnovers and poor shooting. A D’wan Lewis layup at the 6:11 mark ended the Bears’ 5-minute dry spell, but the writing was on the wall.

Stephon Butler led the Jaguars with 18 points. Anotnio Quarles and Devin Coleman added nine points apiece.

Rodney Ellis and Lewis led the Bears with eight points each.