Lady Highlanders split weekend contest

Published 8:36 am Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Leading by five points with 4:24 remaining in the game, the Cloudland Lady Highlanders saw four starters foul out and Tennessee High outscored them 10-2 over the remainder of the game.

The ‘Landers (3-3) fell to the Lady Vikings 50-47 on Saturday evening in the Carter County Bank Classic played at Bayless Gymnasium.

Senior post, Trinity Vines picked up a technical foul at the 4:24 mark after being fouled by LynLeigh Rhodes – her fifth of the game – and she left with eight points. Junior Riley Fritts hit one of two for the technical to cut the Cloudland lead to 45-41 and Rhodes followed with a bucket to make it a two point game.

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“We had a five-point lead with the ball shooting free throws,” Lady ‘Landers head coach Mike Lunsford said. “But if we keep doing dumb things we won’t win. We had the game situations in hand and that’s what we did.”

Fritts scored a game-high 21 points and Rhodes added 14 to lead the way for THS (2-3).

Guard Mandy Benfield fouled out at the 1:41 mark and senior forward Stacia Wilson did likewise at the 1:32 mark and senior guard Megan Lunsford at the :23.7 mark. The only points scored by Cloudland down the stretch was one-for-two from the line from Benfield and the same from Wilson.

Cloudland trailed in the early going by 13-8 after one period and rallied to a 28-28 game by the half. Gracie Freeman led the ‘Landers with 14 points, knocking down three of the five 3-balls the ‘Landers managed in this one.

The Vikings took a slim 34-33 lead into the final stanza with Lunsford’s two free throws giving Cloudland the lead at 35-34. Fritts then hit a three-point play but Wilson hit a free throw and Lunsford another bucket as Cloudland took a 38-37 lead with 6:37 left in regulation.

Wilson’s three-point play extended the ‘Landers to a 41-37 advantage with two free throws from Fritts. A 3-ball from Taylor Hicks gave Cloudland a 44-39 lead. Wilson finished with nine points and 11 rebounds – including seven offensive boards – while Vines and Lunsford each tallied eight points.

Cloudland 63, David Crockett 48 (Friday)

The Lady Highlanders opened up play in the Carter County Bank Classic with a contest against David Crockett.

Behind a 24-point performance from Wilson, Cloudland rolled past the Lady Pioneers, 63-48

Vines followed Wilson up with 19 points as she knocked down three 3-pointers in the contest.

Lunsford finished the game with nine points.

The Lady Highlanders will be at Johnson County this Tuesday.