Lady Rangers thwart Jellico
By Wes Holtsclaw
STAR CORRESPONDENT
HARROGATE -- The Unaka Lady Rangers entered their
quarterfinal game with the Jellico Lady Devils looking like
AC/DC and Angus Young, ready to 'shoot to thrill.'
And thrill they did.
After a tied contest going into the second half,
the Lady Rangers exploded behind Renee Ensor, laying the smackdown
on Jellico with the 55-46 win.
"We came out pretty sluggish," said Unaka coach
Ken Chambers. "I don't know if the ride had anything to do
with it, the bigger floor, the bigger gym. But we weren't
catching the ball, weren't playing hard.
"But Renee Ensor stepped up and turned out an
excellent performance. I've been on her all year about shooting
the ball -- she can shoot as well if not better than anyone
on the team. But she's reluctant to do so because she is the
ball handler. I'm proud of her, I'm proud of the team. Hopefully
we can step up in the next game when we play Hancock."
Unaka came out fighting in the first quarter
behind Ensor and Coty Townsend, but Stacy Perkins wouldn't
back down for the Lady Devils, as Unaka took an 11-9 lead
after one.
It was a tough defensive battle in the second
half, with Jellico stepping out strong behind Ashley Gulley
and Amanda Fredericks stalling Unaka, tying the game at 21
all at the end of the half.
The third quarter was a battle of supremacy,
as Gulley duked it out with Ensor. The Lady Rangers would
win this battle as Julie Roberson stepped up, scoring a pair
of deuces to give Unaka the 33-31 lead going into the fourth
quarter.
The fourth quarter would be Unaka's shining point,
as Kelly and Heather Taylor dropped some treys to go with
Danielle Ensor's inside dominance, allowing Unaka to take
the win at the Turner Arena.
"We came out and played good defense from the
start," said Renee Ensor. "We're just glad to get the win."
Gulley and Perkins added 16 and 13 respectively
for the Lady Blue Devils.
Unaka battles Hancock Co. in the girls semi-final
tonight at Lincoln-Memorial University. Gametime is 7.
