Lady Cyclones overwhelm East to advance to district championship
Published 8:18 am Tuesday, February 21, 2023
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Reiley Whitson puts up a runner against the Sullivan East defense.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Lina Lyon does what she does best for the Lady Cyclones as she breaks the defense of a pair of Lady Patriots on her way to the rim for two points.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Lady Cyclone senior Katie Lee eyes the rim as she prepares to fire up a free throw.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Olivia Holly lines up to release a shot for a trey in the Lady Cyclone win over East.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Sullivan East Lady Patriots came out of the blocks quickly in the opening quarter of the District 1-AAA Girl’s Semifinal contest against the regular-season champs Lady Cyclones of Elizabethton, building a 10-0 lead quickly.
Unfortunately, the Lady Patriots last lead of the game was ended at the 1:31 mark of the first quarter on a Reiley Whitson trey as Elizabethton turned on the after-burners to race to a 68-40 victory propelling the Lady Cyclones to Monday’s championship game against the Unicoi County Lady Blue Devils.
Whitson’s 13 first-half points helped the Lady Cyclones overcome the Lady Patriots and the fouls as Coach Lucas Andrews team rolled to a 44-23 lead as the horn sounded to end the first half.
Marlee Mathena played a superb first half for Elizabethton as the post knocked down 12 points in the half and Lina Lyon sliced and diced her way to ten points to help build the lead.
Lady Patriot senior Jenna Hare scored 13 points in the half to pace East. A free throw in the contest gave Hare 2,500 points for her career.
Elizabethton outscored East 24-17 in the second half to gain their spot in the championship.
Lyon and Hare shared game-high scoring honors as both team leaders recorded 21 points in the contest.
Whitson and Mathena finished in double figures for the Lady Cyclones as Whitson logged 15 points and Mathena the 12 she scored in the first half.
Olivia Holly and Maddie Fowler knocked down nine points apiece while Katie Lee contributed two points in the win.
Kylie Hurley and Sophie Johnson totaled six points each for East.
