PINEVILLE — The Lady Mountain Lions improved to 2-0 on the season Thursday with a 47-31 win over Thomas Walker, Va.
A swarming full-court defense was the key for Pineville as they forced many turnovers and turned a lot of them into points.
“I thought our defense played really well. It’s like I told our girls, It’s going to look ugly sometimes because we’re diving all over the court and jumping after balls and everything,” PHS coach Matt Shafer said. “But that’s the style we’re going to play and they do a good job of embracing that.”
Freshman guard Erica Gambrell led the Lady Lions with 18 points while senior Annalee Adams and junior Devin Enix added seven apiece. Marquetta Garnett led Thomas Walker with eight points while Katie Daniels added seven.
The Lady Pioneers were held to just a three-point play from Tessa Long in the first quarter as Pineville built a 13-3 lead. Gambrell scored four points in the opening period while Enix, Adams and Rachel Barnes added three each.
The Lady Lions took complete control in the second quarter as they outscored Thomas Walker 21-14 to take a 34-17 lead into the locker room.
Pineville enjoyed their biggest lead midway through the quarter as Gambrell and Emily Mullins both converted steals into layups and Stacey Washington blocked a shot on one end and then scored after grabbing an offensive rebound on the other to push the lead to 42-18.
“We’re doing a lot of the little things, as you can see. Erica Gambrell had double-digit steals,” Shafer added. “The shots will come and making them will come with experience and just getting used to playing with fans and with contact.”
Gambrell scored the Lady Lions’ only five points in the fourth quarter as all 15 players saw time on the court for Pineville. Thomas Walker got a 3 from Morgan White and baskets from Garnett, Long and Daniels to close the final margin to 16 points.
Barnes Pineville with 11 rebounds to go along with her five points and Washington finished with six points and nine boards.
“We’re 2-0 and there’s nothing like winning, but we’re young and we’re still going through a lot of growing pains,” said Shafer. “Our girls continue to improve. I challenged them all to get five rebounds and four of my five starters got that or more.”
Pineville hosts Burgin Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
— — —
Thomas Walker…. 3.. 14… 5.. 9 — 31
Pineville …………… 13.. 21.. 8.. 5 — 47
THOMAS WALKER (31): Marquetta Garnett 8, Katie Daniels 7, Morgan White 6, Tessa Long 6, April Kolb 2, Gina Carter 2, Madison Lake 0.
PINEVILLE (47): Erica Gambrell 18, Annalee Adams 7, Devin Enix 7, Stacey Washington 6, Rachel Barnes 5, Emily Mullins 4, Tiffany Sutton 0, Autumn Short 0, Jill Enix 0, Makayla Keyes 0, Morgan Cornelius 0, Sarah Combs 0, Kallee Gambrell 0, Anna Howard 0, Makenzie Fuson 0.
Post a Comment
