| Publication:El Dorado ; |
Date:Feb 11, 2015; |
Section:Sports; |
Page Number:1B |
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Junction City upends Parkers Chapel 61-49
By Tony Burns Sports Editor
PARKERS CHAPEL
- Junction City’s sophomore-ladened squad spoiled Senior Night in Parkers Chapel Tuesday, stunning the 7AA-East champion Lady Trojans 61-49. The Lady Dragons improved to 16-6 overall and 9-3 in league play. PC, which has clinched the regular-season title, fell to 20-5, 11-1.
Sophomore Khadijah Webster scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots to lead the Lady Dragons, who took 2-of-3 from the Lady Trojans this season
“We wanted to make sure we were getting ready for district tournament,” said Junction City coach Henry Harrell. “We had been hearing all year about this and that. We wanted to make a point that we can play with anybody in the district. They came out tonight and they played hard. Even when PC made their run, we were still able to withstand it and I’m proud of the girls. We had a few turnovers down the stretch that we have to clean up, but overall, they came out and played hard tonight.”
The Lady Dragons opened up a 15-3 lead to start the game. Chakeenia Malone hit two 3-pointers in the first six minutes and Jyrezhia Nathan added another.
Junction City offset the Lady Trojans’ eight 3-pointers with six of their own, which complemented the inside play of Webster, Ashley Gibson, Brianna Holyfield and Samantha Meadows, who combined for 28 points and 22 boards.
“We made them pay from the outside tonight,” said Harrell. “They were doubling down on our bigs down low. Nathan hit two or three threes and Malone hit a couple and Fisher hit one and it was just rolling. We know when we get our feet set, we can shoot the ball better than we’d been doing. I’m proud of the way they shot it tonight.”
Parkers Chapel never held a lead in the game. Junction City pushed out to a 28-10 advanage with 5:34 left in the second. PC closed the half with a flurry. Amanda Easley hit three 3-pointers in a 13-4 run to trim the deficit to 32-23 at the intermission. Haley Barker scored to open the third, slicing the margin to seven.
But, the Lady Dragons had an answer for every question. Nathan hit two 3-pointers in the third to trigger an 18-5 run, extending the cushion to 56-34 with 6:50 left in the game.
“We didn’t have any energy to start the game, never got adjusted to the game, didn’t defend them at all,” said PC coach Mark Young. “We didn’t score early in the game and didn’t get the pace like we wanted it to go. They kind of punched us in the face there early and we didn’t respond to it in time.
“Once we did, it was kind of an uphill struggle. They hit some early threes. They played really well and they deserved to win the game. But, we missed too many easy shots around the goal and didn’t make enough free throws. All of it just went together and it just made for their night. And,
they’re good at some things that we’re not good at. They’re a matchup nightmare for us in some areas. We have to do some things and tonight we didn’t do them very well. Credit to them.”
The Lady Trojans made a run in the final quarter. Kelsie Madison’s two 3-pointers sparked a 15-2 run.
Lauren Brumley’s driving layup cut the deficit to 58-49 with 2:12 remaining. After a turnover, PC’s Kylie Madison had two looks from beyond the arc but neither went down.
Junction City made 3-of-6 from the line in the final minute to hold on for the win.
Nikayla Fisher scored 12 points with four rebounds and three assists for Junction City.
Nathan added 11 with Malone scoring 10 with six boards. Gibson contributed seven points and eight rebounds.
Defensively, the Lady Dragons limited PC to two made 3-pointers in the second half.
“We went to a box-andone,” said Harrell. “We guarded Brumley. We felt like if we could keep the ball out of Brumley’s hands, we’d be able to win the game. Nathan did a good job on her tonight.
“Overall, I’m proud of every girl that played tonight, everybody on the team. Everybody played hard tonight.”
Brumley led PC with 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks. She hit 10-of-16 at the line. Kelsie Madison, Bailey Norwood and Easley all scored nine.
“The difference in the game was us not getting the pace of the game where we wanted it to be early enough. We wanted it to be much faster than it was,” said Young, whose team lost for the first time since early January.
“We can make the loss of it what we want to. It’s according to how we’re wanting to handle it. If we’re going to be, ‘oh woe is me’ and wallow around in it. Or, if we’re going to pick ourselves up and go back and get ready to fight on Friday night.”
El Dorado 42,
Texarkana 34
TEXARKANA - Tasheanne Armstrong had 13 points for the Lady Wildcats (18-5, 6-4), who came away with a road win in the 6A-South.
Chardesia George had eight points, while Jacena Smith added seven points and Alexi Pope finished with five points for the Lady Wildcats.
Strong 47,
Norphlet 35
NORPHLET - The Lady Bulldogs pulled away late to down Norphlet in conference action.
Strong led 20-17 at the half and 31-23 going into the final quarter.
Moesha Thrower led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points with Charria Perry adding 14.
Tionna Baker paced the Lady Leopards with 15 while Kelcey Roberts scored eight.
News-Times/Michael Orrell Taking a shot: Junction City's Nikayla Fisher (24) goes up for a shot as Parkers Chapel's Lauren Brumley defends during their 7-2A East clash on Tuesday night at Parkers Chapel. The Lady Dragons came away with a 61-49 victory.
News-Times/Michael Orrell Looking for homes: These cats are now available for adoption at the Union County Animal Protection Society shelter, 100 Sunset Road, El Dorado. The UCAPS shelter is open from noon until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call UCAPS at 862-0502.
