Lady Cyclones too strong
for David Crockett
By Wes Holtsclaw
STAR STAFF
wholtsclaw@starhq.com
The Elizabethton Lady Cyclones went up early
and never looked back in a game that was closer than the score
indicated.
Against a much-improved David Crockett Lady Pioneer
squad, the Lady Cyclones played tough defense and made numerous
steals en route to their 72-40 victory in the opening game
of the Valley Forge Auction Ladies' Thanksgiving Classic at
Happy Valley's Bayless Gym.
"I thought we played well in the second half,"
said Elizabethton coach Harry Farthing, who filled in for
Mike Wilson. "I've been telling the girls not to take Crockett
lightly. They have a new coach in (Andy) Hare and they outhustled
us and outscrapped us in the first half."
"We made some big steals," he said. "Offensively,
we had a pretty good game and Crockett's a much better team
than they were last year."
Elizabethton had a solid overall game from its
entire team. Rikki Baughman was unstoppable, dropping a game-high
22 points with 11 rebounds.
"Everybody got to play and that was really good,"
said Baughman. "The team was excited."
"I think if we all continue to pull together
as a team and do our part, we have a chance to win every game,"
she said. "I think we should go pretty far this year."
Elizabethton jumped out to a quick lead behind
key steals and buckets from Baughman and Valerie Kauffeld.
Ashley Hill free throws and a Brittney Hensley
trey got Crockett started offensively, but Elizabethton rallied
back to an 11-point lead with some big buckets from Redd.
Elizabethton kept a sizable margin courtesy of
Michaela Pietrowski; however, Hill and Hensley both sliced
threes to support Crockett.
The Lady Cyclones used buckets from Tanya Dykes
late to keep their edge going into the second half.
Melinda Levasuer opened with two straight buckets
for the Lady Pioneers, but turnovers kept Elizabethton in
good position offensively.
Pietrowski, Dykes and Kauffeld kept the team
out in front with a 19-point lead into the fourth quarter
Baughman extended her totals with a little help
from her friends, pushing Elizabethton out to a lead over
30. Dykes pulled away with big buckets in the end.
Dykes, Kauffeld and Pietrowski put up double
digits for Elizabethton with 13, 12 and 11, respectively.
Hill led Crockett with 15, while Hensley contributed 12.
Wilson's wife gave birth earlier this week, while
Farthing's wife had surgery. Everyone is fine according to
Farthing, who took the helm for his high school girls coaching
debut in the early game.
Elizabethton will take on the University High
Lady Bucs tonight at 8:30.
