WCHS powers past Lady Patriots

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Lady Pioneer post Mary Kate Fisher (25) keeps Oakland’s Shanika Smith out of the paint, forcing her to look to the perimeter for some offensive help during the first half of Monday night’s game at the Charlie Dalton Gym. (Rob Nunley photo)

Oakland brought more than just ninth-graders to their “freshman” game at the Charlie Dalton Gym Monday night.

But while the Lady Patriots may have had the age advantage, the Lady Pioneers controlled everything else in their game, as they rolled over their guests, 48-37.

Despite facing an Oakland team with two juniors in its starting lineup, the Lady Pioneers used steady ball control and strong shooting to build an early lead Monday night.

Brittany Frazier and Kayla Bond both nailed first-quarter 3-pointers, and a 4-0 Lady Pioneer run closed the period with Warren County on top 15-6.

Shutting out the Lady Patriots for a span of seven minutes and 20 seconds in the first half, WCHS built a 24-6 advantage before going into the halftime locker room with a 28-11 lead.

A 9-2 run by the Lady Pioneers opened the second half, and was punctuated by a pair of Bond baskets, helping the home squad’s lead to swell to over 20 points heading into the fourth quarter.

Ahead 41-20 going into the game’s final period, Warren County was out-scored by its guests while trying to run out the game’s final eight minutes. But despite Oakland’s 17 fourth-quarter points, the Lady Pioneers’ lead was never less than five as they closed out the nine-point win.

Frazier led the way with 11 points, despite sitting out the entire second half with a minor injury. Fisher added 10, and Jasmine Hall patrolled the paint for eight points on the night.

Bond had seven points, while Taylor Nunley and Taylor Hennessee scored four each. LaNae Bess had a late two, while Amy Hutton and Ashlee Malone added a free throw each.

Junior Shanika Smith led Oakland’s efforts with 17 points, while Sara King scored six. Latoya Marable and Jalysa Erskine scored five each, with Keisha Kincade had four.

Warren County’s freshmen play host to Cookeville Monday night.