Youthful Lady Cyclones show grit in opening-night loss to Cocke Co.
Published 8:35 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Senior Kayleyn Nave pulls up for a one-handed jumper over the outstretched hand of a Lady Red defender.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Rylee May works to shake off defensive pressure from a Lady Red player.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Adrian Heading attempts a three-pointer against two Cocke County Lady Red defenders.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Jasy Shell navigates a screen while applying defensive pressure to a Lady Red ball handler.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Lady Cyclones head coach Lucas Andrews calls out an offensive play to his team.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Reagan May drives toward the basket against Lady Red defender Carsie Ellison.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Lady Cyclone Sydney Minton pulls up for a shot in the paint during Tuesday night’s game at Elizabethton High School.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Senior guard Peyton McGee drives the basketball into the paint against the Cocke County defense.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
It may not have been the start Elizabethton Lady Cyclones head coach Lucas Andrews was hoping for, as his young team struggled offensively to open the game but showed heart and determination in the second half against Cocke County in the opening game of the 2024-25 season.
Falling behind 32-16 at the end of the first half, the Lady Cyclones fought tooth and nail in the third period to narrow the gap to eight before the Lady Red put together another scoring run to secure a 68-49 victory, spoiling opening night for Elizabethton.
Shakrya Reed had the hot hand for the Lady Red in the opening half, scoring 13 points. Karmine Carmichael chipped in with five to help build the lead.
After scoring only two points in the opening period, the Lady Cyclones found some offensive rhythm in the second quarter. Junior post player Jamira Smalls scored six points to lead Andrews’ team in the half, while Londyn Taylor and Aerryan Fleenor each hit a three-pointer for EHS.
The Lady Cyclones came out of the break energized, going on a scoring streak behind two treys from senior Peyton McGee and another three-pointer from Reagan May to cut the 16-point deficit to eight. However, the Lady Red regrouped and pulled away in the final stretch, ending the Cyclones’ comeback hopes.
Reed finished with a game-high 22 points to lead the Lady Red, while Carmichael and Carsie Ellison added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Reagan May led the Lady Cyclones with a team-high 10 points. Ten of the 12 players listed in the scoring book contributed at least one point.
Smalls finished with nine points, while senior Kayleyn Nave added eight. Other scorers for the Lady Cyclones included Taylor (6), McGee (6), Fleenor (3), Daisy Parks (2), Sydney Minton (2), Rylee May (2), and Jasy Shell (1).
