Lady Eagle basketball takes flight
BY LELAND ACKER

Le'Asha O'Neal goes for a lay-up during a fast break as Rusk cruised by the Malakoff Lady Tigers 53-32. O'Neal scored 10 points for the Lady Eagles and shot two-for-five from the free throw line. Rusk will play in the Grace Community School Tournament this weekend in Tyler. PHOTO: LELAND ACKER

The Rusk Lady Eagles are off to a great start under new Head Coach Josh Faucett as they defeated the Malakoff Lady Tigers 53-32 at the Rusk High School gymnasium last Tuesday.

"Malakoff won their district championship last year," Coach Faucett said. "They may have lost some players, but they have a pretty good program."

Jasmine Harris scored the opening points for the Lady Eagles, which sparked a 10-3 run to open the game. Rusk maintained control of the game with solid defense.

Cambry Blakemore then added to the Lady Eagle lead by sinking a three-pointer, giving the Lady Eagles an 18-5 lead with 6:06 left to play in the first half. Blakemore made two three-pointers against Malakoff, with Jelissa Session adding two more to give Rusk a 28-15 lead at the half.

"It's good to get off to a good start," Coach Faucett said. "We want to do better. I think we're on schedule."

Coach Faucett said after playing Malakoff, the Lady Eagles will work on rebounding, breaking the press and making easy baskets.

Harris led the scoring with 16 points, followed by Blakemore (12) and O'Neal (10). Rusk travels to Grace Community School tomorrow through Saturday to play in the Grace Community Tournament before returning home Monday to face Eustace.

The Lady Eagles' JV team dominated Malakoff 30-9, holding the Lady Tigers scoreless for the second and third quarters. Malakoff opened the game by making one free throw, before Rusk scored 25 unanswered points. Standouts include Brittany John- son, who scored eight points and made two three-pointers. Kierra Skinner added eight points and Kashera Muhummad scored six points on two three-pointers. The Rusk JV will play in the Eustace JV tournament tomorrow through Saturday before returning home to face Eustace at 4 p.m. Monday.

Rusk vs.		Malakoff (varsity girls)
Malakoff	5	10	11	6	--	32
Rusk	12	16	13	12	--	53

SCORING - Malakoff: Gabby Crockett 11, Tiffany Trimble 8, Lakeisha Walker 6, April Carroll 3, Alex Moore 3, Brittany Briant 1. Rusk: Jasmine Harris 16, Cambry Blakemore 12, Le'Asha O'Neal 10, Jelissa Session 8, Brittany Session 4, Charnell Franklin 3.

Rusk vs.		Malakoff (JV girls)
Malakoff	1	0	0	8	--	9
Rusk	11	7	8	4	--	30

SCORING - Malakoff: Driver 1, Samples 8. Rusk: Kierra Skinner 8, Brittany Johnson 8, Kashera Muhummad 6, Lisa Frauenberger 4, Winona McGowan 2, Morgan Ford 2. NEXT UP: Rusk varsity at Grace Community tournament, Nov. 15-17. Rusk JV at Eustace tournament Nov. 15-17.