Without a way to stop Warren Central’s Sha’Kayla Caples, Forest Hill coach Tommy Groves did the only thing he could — try to wear Caples and the rest of the Lady Vikes out.

Groves’ plan worked as Forest Hill outscored WC 15-6 over the final 5 minutes, 40 seconds Saturday to win the Red Carpet Classic in the school’s first appearance in the event.

“We knew we couldn’t stop Caples, we just wanted to try to slow her down a bit and see if we could get her tired,” said Groves, who also led his team to a victory over the Lady Vikes in the Jackson Public Schools Tournament in December. “She really is unstoppable, but I am proud of my girls for executing the offense, especially in the fourth quarter.”

Caples, who came into the game averaging nearly 25 points per game, again put on a show with 30 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocks. She scored the first eight Warren Central points and had 12 at halftime. During the second quarter, the Lady Rebels went to a diamond-and-one defense to try to stop Caples, but Karnina Bunch hit three 3-pointers and Dequanna Kilbert hit a trey turned a seven-point second quarter deficit into a one-point Forest Hill lead. WC trailed 32-29 at the half.

“When they went diamond and one and we hit four big threes right in a row and boom, I knew they were going to get out of that,” Fuller said. “Then they went to the man and were all over it.”

Not in the third quarter, however, as Caples led Warren Central with 10 points to give WC a 44-39 lead at the end of the third quarter. After taking a 50-45 lead with 5:40 left in the game, Forest Hill began to wear down WC, going on a 12-0 run to turn the deficit into a seven-point advantage at 57-50. Caples scored the final six points for the Lady Vikes, but each time Forest Hill answered and WC did not get within five until the closing buzzer.

Courtney Marbra led Forest Hill with 17 points, while Rasheda Catchings scored 16 and Bianco Powell netted 11. Bunch scored 14 to go along with Caples’ 30.

Forest Hill’s trip to the Red Carpet Classic was the school’s first, but Groves said the experience was a pleasure and he would enjoy another invite.

“We were glad to come over here,” said Groves, whose team defeated Lawrence County on the road Friday night before the quick turnaround Saturday. “We enjoyed it thoroughly.”

Fuller hopes the two square off again.

“The only way we can meet again is in Tupelo in the Grand Slam,” Fuller said of the end-of-the-year all-classes championship that pits each classification’s winner in a single-elimination tournament. Warren Central is Class 5A and Forest Hill is 4A.

(B) Forest Hill 75, WC 59

High-flying Forest Hill used a 23-point second quarter to open a lead over the host Vikings and cruise to a Red Carpet Classic title.

Andre Stringer scored 20 points, Joshua Moore scored 15 and Terrell Kennedy netted 11 in the victory.

Jeremye Smith led all scoreres with 23 points in a losing effort, while Malcolm Harris had 15 and Dino Harris poured in 11.