Lady Cyclones blast Lady Patriots behind Shields 32-point outburst
Published 10:23 am Monday, January 8, 2024
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton's Kayelyn Nave pushes the basketball up the floor after a Sullivan East turnover.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Peyton McGee works the basketball into the front court against the Lady Patriots.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Stormy entertains a fan during halftime of the Elizabethton girl's basketball game against East.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Marlee Mathena drives the basketball as she is defended closely by a Lady Patriot defender. Mathena was recognized prior to the game for recording her 500th career rebound.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Michelle Shields drives toward the lane as she a Sullivan East defender applies the pressure. Shields had a huge night as she filled the bucket for 32 points to lead Elizabethton.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Kayelyn Nave goes strong to the basket for a deuce.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Reagan May drives toward the baseline for the Lady Cyclones.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Jamira Smalls puts up a shot over a pair of East defenders.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Jasy Shell lines up a shot during the Elizabethton-Sullivan East game.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Michelle Shields prepares to put up a running jump shot.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The 2014 State Champion Lady Cyclones were on hand and recognized for their achievement during halftime of the Elizabethton - Sullivan East girls contest.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
The Elizabethton Lady Cyclones were looking to get out of the gates quickly and defend their home court in the opening game of the Upper Lakes Conference conference-opener against the Sullivan East Lady Patriots.
With Michelle Shields hitting with the precision of a special forces sniper, the Lady Cyclones rolled out to a 45-21 halftime advantage, and never looked back in taking a 77-55 victory.
Shields had 19 points in the opening 16 minutes of play to push Coach Lucas Andrews team out front as the sophomore sharpshooter had four treys in that span of the contest.
Post Marlee Mathena also had a solid opening half for the Lady Cyclones working for eight points. Kayelyn Nave chipped in with six points.
Paulina Hofer did her best to help keep her Lady Patriots within reach of the Lady Cyclones accounting for 10 points to pace the Bluff City team in the half.
Miley McCarter contributed with six points.
Both teams played evenly in the third quarter coming out of the break as each team added 24 points to their side of the scoreboard.
Shields and Mathena continued to score at will with nine and eight points respectively in the period.
Asia Carins had the hot hand for East in the quarter scoring nine while McCarter added six more to her tally.
With the lead, Andrews was able to go to his bench for younger players to get some playing time heading in the final eight minutes of play.
Shields finished off her night with four more points whiles Jamira Smalls had some big minutes as she dominated on the inside hitting the boards and scoring four points in the fourth quarter.
Besides Shields 32 points, Mathena finished with 16 points in the contest while Smalls reached double figures with 11 points from her post position.
Nave finished with six points while Peyton McGee added five. Dana Malone (4) and Reagan May (3) closed out the scoring for Elizabethton.
Cairns led the Lady Patriots with 15 while Hofer netted 14 points. McCarter also reached double figures with 12 points.
The 2014 State Champion Lady Cyclone basketball team was recognized at halftime for their achievement with many of the players and coaches present.
Elizabethton will get a shot at the preseason conference top pick on Tuesday when they host the Crockett Lady Pioneers for a 6:30 pm tipoff.
