Area women’s basketball season begins

by Michelle Dillon michelle@thecherokeean.com

Although most district slates do not begin until late December or even January, basketball season has officially begun.

Lady Hornets kick off season with win

New Summerfield hosted Laneville to open the women’s basketball season with a win. The Lady Hornets defeated the Yellowjackets 37-34.

The Lady Hornets jumped ahead early, taking an 11-8 first period lead.

By the halftime break, New Summerfield increased the gap to seven points with a 23-16 score.

Laneville nearly kept pace with the Lady Hornets during the third quarter, adding nine points to New Summerfield’s 11.

They were able to close the gap to within three points by the final buzzer, but were not able to overtake the Lady Hornets.

Karlee Andrade was high scorer, sinking 13 points during the game, including three out of five three-point attempts. Juliana Medellin hit two of four three-point shots.

The team sank 46 percent of free throws.

In their second outing, the New Summerfield ladies fell to the Cushing Bearkats, 45-28.

The Lady Hornets were scheduled to play at Latexo Tuesday, Nov. 19, and will host the New Summerfield Tip-Off Tournament Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23.

Lady Eagles win one, lose one

In their initial outing of the season, the Lady Eagles fell to Buffalo by a mere four-point margin, 35-39.

Buffalo held a six-point lead after the first quarter, 18-12.

By the halftime break, Buffalo had increased the margin by only two-points, outscoring Rusk 7-5 in the second period.

Returning for the second half, the Lady Eagles outshot the Bison, 9-2, to close the gap to a single point.

Unfortunately for Rusk, the Lady Eagles would not be able to overtake their opponents, dropping the game, 35-39.

Raven Bennett was high scorer with 12 points.

She also recorded 11 rebounds and two assists.

The team managed only 22 percent of three-point attempts and went 45 percent at the free-throw line.

In their second non-conference game, the Lady Eagles soundly defeated Tyler’s All Saints Episcopal Trojans, 57-20.

Rusk shot ahead from the beginning, taking a 27-3 first quarter lead, which they increased to 40-7 by halftime.

Though a closer 11-7 margin existed in the third frame and both teams earned six points in the final quarter, the Lady Eagles were in no danger of giving away the game.

The win improves the Lady Eagles record to 1-1.

Anayzia Jefferson scored 15 points to lead the team and posted seven rebounds and four assists.

The team improved their three-point percentage from their first game to 44 percent for this outing.

Free-throw percentage also improved with the ladies shooting 50 percent from the charity stripe.

Lady Tigers get rough start to season

The Troup Lady Tigers had a rough first week of basketball, dropping two games to start the season with an 0-2 record.

The initial outing to Frankston ended in a 55-25 loss to the Indians.

In every quarter, Frankston put up double digits while Troup was held to single-digit scores.

The Lady Tigers hosted Palestine Friday, Nov. 15, losing the game 17-49.

Troup was to visit Harleton on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The Lady Tigers are also set to participate in the New Summerfield tournament Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23.

Lady Pirates win one, lose one

The Wells Lady Pirates defeated the Alto Lady Jackets Tuesday, Nov. 12, by a score of 38-21, to earn the win.
Wells played Elkhart Friday, Nov. 15, dropping to the Elks, 36-45.

The team fell behind by three points at the end of the first quarter, 3-6, but had come back to within a single point by the half, 19-20, despite losing a player due to an injury on the court.

The margin remained the same through the end of the third period, but had widened to a nine-point deficit by the end of the final frame.

Wells was scheduled to play Broaddus Tuesday, Nov. 19, and will host a tournament Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 21-23.