Lady Mavs win third place
Lady Mav Jayce Braden puts pressure on a Carter gall handler during tournament play. (photo:Conner McCarty )
Anderson County finished 2-1 over the weekend; earned third place, and gained a much-needed rest over the short Christmas break.
This past Friday, the Lady Mavs hosted Cumberland Gap in the first round.
Anderson County earned a 39-28 first round win over the Lady Panthers.
The first quarter showed early on that Anderson County was the more athletic and skilled basketball team. The Lady Mavs found it difficult to find points, yet Cumberland Gap found it almost impossible.
Freshman point guard Shae Berry’s four points led all first quarter scorers, and the Lady Mavs led 11-3 heading into the second quarter.
The basketball scoring Gods must have switched teams during the break between quarters, because the second quarter was exactly like the first quarter — reversed.
Cumberland Gap, who hit one field goal in the opening quarter, drained four from beyond the arc, in the second quarter. Anderson County struggled from the floor, and only made three shots. After 16 minutes of play, the Lady Mavs and the Lady Panthers headed into the break deadlocked, 17-17. Junior post Brooklin McCoy led all scorers at halftime, with eight points.
In the third quarter, Anderson County was able to regain and stretch out a lead. The Lady Mavs held Cumberland Gap scoreless — yes, zero points — in the third. Berry would cash in six points, McCoy put up five points, and Anderson County led 30-17.
Out of nine fourth quarter Lady Mavs’ points, seven of them came from 13 attempts at the free throw line. McCoy would lead all scorers with a game-high 18 points. Berry added 10 points.
The win set up a Saturday winner’s bracket semifinal date with the Carter Lady Hornets.
Both teams started the contest playing well on both ends of the floor.
But Carter moved on to the Championship game, with a 58-45 win over the Lady Mavs.
Brooklin McCoy’s seven points led all scorers in the quarter, and heading into the second quarter, the game was knotted up at 13-13.
Both teams continued to play scrappy, hard-working defense.
Offensively, both teams were able to get to the charity stripe and knock down free throws. Yet, a Lady Hornets’ triple would give Carter a 22-19 halftime lead.
The third quarter felt more like a three-point contest. Senior guard Maci Houser’s eight points all came in the third quarter—six of those eight points came from triples.
Yet, the Lady Hornets answered with four from downtown in the third quarter and Carter went into the final quarter with a 37-36 lead.
The fourth quarter would be a disappointing one for the Lady Mavs. The Lady Hornets put 21 fourth quarter points up on Anderson County. The Lady Mavs went cold, and were only able to hit three shots from the floor. A nine-point fourth quarter was not enough.
Berry would lead the Lady Mavs with 16 points, and McCoy followed closely behind with 15 points.
The loss sent Anderson County to the third place game, where the Lady Mavs met the Loudon High School Lady Redskins.
Shae Berry continued to be an offensive threat, and led all first quarter scorers with seven points.
The Anderson County defense was tenacious, and held Loudon to only two points.
With a 15-2 lead, the second quarter was a perfect time for McCoy to show off her range.
The senior knocked down two from three-point-land, finished with eight in the quarter, and led the Lady Mavs to a 28-15 advantage.
Loudon tried to hang within ten points, but the Lady Redskins conceded points to five different Lady Mavs in the third quarter.
Anderson County began to pull away, and created some breathing room with a 44-26 lead, with only a quarter to play.
Anderson County’s talent was too much for the Lady Redskins, and the Lady Mavs earned a 52-35 third place win. Berry led all scores with a game-high 15 points, and again, McCoy followed with 12 points.
The Lady Mavs will return to the hardwood on Dec. 27, for a big test.
Anderson County will visit the undefeated Lady Rebels of Maryville. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.