Lady Mavs turn to tournament play
Ansley Freeman looks to the basket while heavily guarded by a Northview Academy defender. (photo:Tony Cox )
In Friday’s regular-season finale at Northview Academy in Kodak, the Lady Mavericks fell 48-36 in a game that mirrored the first meeting between the teams earlier this season.
“In both games, they got us in the third quarter,” Lady Mavericks coach Mitch Cupples said. “We played well in the first two quarters and we played well in the fourth quarter, but we just didn’t play well in the third quarter, and that’s where they got us.
“They got us there both times, in the third quarter.”
Bethany Lowe led Anderson County with 13 points, while Addison Grooms added 10.
The Lady Mavericks opened the week Tuesday, Feb. 10, with a 54-50 home loss to South-Doyle in a tightly contested game.
“That game was one of those games that just went back and forth until we missed two 3s and a 2-point shot and they made two 3s and a 2,” Cupples said. “Our offense was good, but we struggled on defense. We usually don’t give up 50 or more points in a game.”
Anderson County (12-12) had three players score in double figures against the Lady Cherokees. Macy Basford led the way with 16 points, while Grooms added 12 and Emerie Bullock finished with 11.
The final week didn’t unfold as the Lady Mavericks had hoped, but there’s little time to dwell on it. Anderson County now turns its attention to the District 4-AAA Tournament, which begins Thursday. As the No. 2 seed, the Lady Mavericks will host the tournament and have already secured a berth in the Region 2-AAA Tournament.
Still, the semifinal presents a stern test. Anderson County will face third-seeded Scott at 6 p.m. The Lady Highlanders and Lady Mavericks split their regular-season series, with each team defending its home court.
“The only thing that we’re worried about right now is Scott County,” Cupples said. “They’re a good team and they beat us at their place and we beat them here.”
