Lady Eagles Win First TRC Contest

By David Sharp
Knox County (4-6, 1-2 in the Tri-Rivers Conference) turned up their defensive intensity in the second half of a January 8, varsity girls’ basketball game at North Shelby and took a 42-29 victory. The Lady Raiders outscored their guests 14-4 during the second quarter and took a 19-13 advantage to the locker room.
The Lady Eagles executed better in the first quarter and led 9-5 after one period of play. Knox County came out with a purpose and cracked off a steal fortified 14-4 run of their own for a 27-23 lead after three quarters. The Lady Eagles wound up out scoring North Shelby 29-10 in the second half.
North Shelby did not score a field goal in the fourth quarter, and only two in the third. "We looked at this as one conference game we had to win," said Knox County coach John Weaver.
"We knew it would be tough at their place," said Coach Weaver. "We struggled in the first half. We found a way to create some turnovers in the second half. We came out and really put the pressure on in the third quarter. We stepped it up in the third quarter, and they really didn’t have an answer for it."
Knox County recorded 18 steals on the night, 13 coming in the second half. "Our pressure defense wouldn’t let them get anything going in the half court sets," said Weaver. "Anytime you can step up your defense and give them fits, it’s going to make your offense better. That’s exactly what we did."
The Lady Eagles finished with 36 team rebounds and 17 turnovers. North Shelby sank 11 of 22 free throws and nine field goals on the night. Knox County went 8-16 from the line. Myra Parrish and Tessa Ramer sank one three pointer each for Knox County.
Amanda Woods scored a game high 11 points. Woods completed her KCHS double-double with ten rebounds. Katie Ausmus tossed in nine Knox County points. Tessa Ramer scored seven points, all in the second half. Ramer also stole the basketball seven times.
Lorrie Peters scored five points. Myra Parrish and Stacey Leckbee scored three points each. Jessie Stout and Caley Palmer scored two points each for the Lady Eagles. Jillian Yoder led North Shelby with nine points. Kayla Donath and Danielle Rich added five Lady Raider points each.