WC freshman girls fall short vs. Blaze

Turnovers have been a problem for the Lady Pioneer freshman squad so far this season. But Thursday night against Blackman Warren County protected the ball, which gave its offense a chance to pull off the victory over the Lady Blaze.

Unfortunately, a fourth-quarter run by Blackman gave the Lady Blaze a 44-29 win in the Charlie Dalton gym.

The Lady Pioneers played an aggressive man-to-man defense, which held the Lady Blaze to nine points in the opening period. Warren County worked hard on offense, which allowed Laura Beth McKinley to drive the paint for a pair of baskets. Sarah Collins and Macaulli Clendenon added one basket each, and by the end of the period Blackman held a 9-8 lead.

McKinley connected to open the second period, but the Lady Blaze ran off seven unanswered points with baskets from Shelby Flinn and Holly Hodge. Clendenon answered with four straight points for the Lady Pioneers. But back on the other end of the floor Hodge responded with back-to-back baskets, which gave the Lady Blaze a 19-17 lead at the break. The Lady Pioneers had just four turnovers in the first half.

Blackman ran off five straight points to open the third period. Collins put Warren County on the board from the paint. Blackman added a basket, but Warren County responded with seven unanswered points, coming from McKinley and Collins. Lakshim Giroti connected on a 3-pointer just before the horn sounded to give the Lady Blaze a 29-24 advantage.

Things went downhill for the Lady Pioneer offense in the final period. The Lady Blaze hit a 3-pointer to open the period, then Clendenon converted a three-point play for Warren County, but Blackman then ran off 12 unanswered points. Warren County closed out the game with a basket from Sera Reyes as Blackman picked up the victory.

For the Lady Pioneers McKinley hit for 12 points. Clendenon had nine, Collins hit for six and Reyes had two points.

Flinn led all scorers with 20 points for Blackman. Hodge hit for nine, Giroti added seven, Chelsec Hoag and Courtney Crockett had four points apiece.