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BY C.Y. PETERS

The Unaka Lady Rangers showcased their dominance at the Harriman Christmas Tournament, securing two impressive victories against Rockwood and Oakdale. Powered by the dynamic duo of Michele Shields and Lauren Lund, the Lady Rangers displayed a combination of high-powered offense and stifling defense to claim the wins.

Game 1: Unaka 50, Rockwood 22

In their opening matchup, the Lady Rangers dismantled the Rockwood Lady Tigers with a 50-22 victory. The game started evenly, with both teams tied at 7 after the first quarter. However, the Lady Rangers found their rhythm in the second quarter, pouring in 15 points while limiting Rockwood to just 8. Shields led the charge with two big 3-pointers in the quarter, finishing the game with a team-high 16 points.

Unaka’s defense tightened in the second half, holding Rockwood to only five points in the third quarter and an astonishing two points in the final frame. Emma Douglas chipped in nine points, and Lund added 12 to complete the balanced offensive attack. Rockwood’s Aliyan Pryor led her team with five points, but the Lady Tigers struggled to break through Unaka’s tough defensive schemes.

Game 2: Unaka 56, Oakdale 33

The Lady Rangers carried their momentum into the next night’s game, cruising to a 56-33 win over Oakdale. Shields delivered a standout performance, torching the Lady Eagles with 31 points, including five 3-pointers. Lund complemented her teammate with 13 points, hitting three shots from beyond the arc.

The game started at a blistering pace, with Unaka holding a slim 15-13 lead after the first quarter. Shields dominated early, scoring 10 points in the opening period. The Lady Rangers extended their lead in the second quarter with an explosive 17-point effort, giving them a commanding 32-18 advantage at halftime.

With the lead firmly in hand, Coach Chambers utilized his bench in the second half, giving valuable minutes to his reserves while still maintaining control. Kalli Sheppard added six points, hitting two key 3-pointers to bolster the Lady Rangers’ attack. Oakdale’s Rilee Goodson scored 13 points for her team, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Unaka’s firepower.

Coach’s Praise

“I’m incredibly proud of the way our girls played,” said Coach Chambers. “Michele and Lauren were outstanding, but this was a complete team effort. Our defense set the tone in both games, and we had great contributions from everyone who stepped on the court. We’ll build on this as we prepare for the rest of the season.”

With their dominant performances in Harriman, the Lady Rangers have proven they are a force to be reckoned with. Shields and Lund’s leadership, combined with the team’s depth and defensive intensity, leave little doubt that Unaka is primed for a strong season ahead. The Lady Rangers are now 13-1 on the season.

 

Unaka 7 15 13 15 — 50
Rockwood 7 8 5 2 — 22

Unaka (Game 1): Lund 12, Douglas 9, Shields 16, Campbell 5, Dugger 3, Sheppard 3, Hague 2.
Rockwood: Patterson 2, Smith 4, Davidson 2, Morgan 4, Pryor 8, Angel 2.

 

Unaka 15 17 12 12 — 56
Oakdale 13 5 9 6 — 33

Unaka (Game 2): Lund 13, Douglas 1, Shields 31, Campbell 3, Dugger 2, Sheppard 6.
Oakdale: Voyles 1, Goodson 13, Davidson 1, Smith 5, L. Smith 3, Hicks 4, Sobard 6.