Lady Rangers give into Lady Indians’ pressure
Published 9:07 pm Friday, December 26, 2014
A relentless, full-court press and two double digit performances from the Dobyns-Bennett Lady Indians would be too much for the Lady Rangers to handle Friday inside of Daniel Boone High School.
Unaka’s Sierra Wright fires off a jumper, while Lady Indians’ Tori Williams guards.
The two teams met up for the first day of the Johnson City Honda Trail Blazers Classic, and the Lady Indian were able to walk away with a 51-27 win.
“We didn’t come ready to play today,” Lady Rangers head coach Kenneth Chambers said. “Dobyns-Bennett did a good job of doing what they do. They are tough inside. Their point guard was hard to stop. . . We didn’t show up to much today. I don’t know why we didn’t. As a team we didn’t.
“There were some girls who did really well. I thought Cheyenne Drew played good, and Sierra Wright. . . I really thought they stepped up and played really good.”
DB was led by Sasha Morrisette, who ranked up 16 points, while being followed up by Lauren Salyer who had 12.
The closest the game came was during the first quarter. With a three pointer from Drew and a some buckets from Madison Ensor and Katlyn Burrows, the Lady Rangers finished the first period trailing DB 10-7.
However, by the end of the first half Unaka would be down 23-11.
The third quarter saw the Lady Indians go on a 15-2 run as they pushed their lead out to 37-15. Before the close of the third, Unaka had a little 6-point scoring spark, which was orchestrated by Burrow, Lexi Garland, and Renya Austin.
However, the Lady Rangers efforts would not be enough as DB out scored them 12-6 in the fourth.
Through out the game the Lady Indians kept up the pressure as they ran a full press.
“We have been counting on our pressure this year,” DB head coach Bill Francis said. “Our press creates our offense.”
The Lady Rangers were led in scoring by Drew who had seven points. She was Burrow, who had 6.
“Dobyns-Bennett is one of the better teams around,” Chambers said. “I wish we would have gave them a little more competition for their benefit. But, you know, if we can learn from it and get better then we will succeed, win or lose.”
Saturday Unaka will continue tournament play as they face off against Volunteer at 1:30 p.m.
Unaka 27
Drew 7, Burrow 6, Weaver 4, Wright 4, Austin 4
Dobyns-Bennett 51
Morrisette 16, Sayler 12, MaKayela Fullen 8, Breeding 5, MaKenzie Fullen 4, Starke 4, Williams 2.
Unaka 7 4 10 6 — 27
Dobyns-Bennett 10 13 16 12 — 51
3-point goals— Dobyns-Bennett (Breeding) Unaka (Drew)
For photos from tonight’s game click here.
Video Clip from Today’s Game
