JONESBOROUGH – Eight different Lady ‘Blazers hit three-pointers and Daniel Boone made 16 overall in a 76-45 Hardee’s Classic first-round victory over Providence Academy.
Half the three’s came in the first half, four in each of the first two quarters, as Boone led 26-6 after one period and 43-17 at halftime.
“Tonight is the first night I thought we shared the basketball and hit each other in rhythm,” said Lady ‘Blazer coach John Good. “So we were able to shoot a good percentage.”
Good had the Lady ‘Blazers relax the defensive pressure after the break, but too much intensity was lost resulting in the Lady Knights winning the quarter, 18-7, to get back within 51-35 going to the fourth.
“That was a mental lapse there,” acknowledged Good. “We didn’t want to keep pressing, but we need to understand you still have to play defense in the halfcourt.”
Six more Lady ‘Blazers three-balls fell in the fourth period, three coming from Andrea Flores. The Boston College commit sank four shots from long range to finish with a game-high 21 points.
“She (Flores) works extremely hard, she puts a lot of time in her game,” Good said. “There are nights where she is really going to shine.”
Ashlyn Newton and Averie Steadman both hit two three’s to finish with ten points. Eva Leonard sank three from beyond the arc to account for her nine points.
Ayla Masters connected twice for distance to score six points. Ella Wilson came through with seven points.
“We hadn’t been playing team basketball the last two games,” reiterated Good. “Tonight we were looking to share the basketball and be more of a team.”
Sydney Kestern and Lillie Walters also hit a three in the game, Walters perhaps reluctantly.
“Lillie we have to really talk to her about shooting,” said Good. “She wants to pass the ball a lot. She’s our best percentage wise shooter.”
Emory & Henry signee Kinley Painter led Providence with 16 points. Rowan Gilmber and Kennady Phillips tossed in seven each.
Boone will face rival and tournament host David Crockett in Wednesday’s semifinals. Providence and face off with Johnson County in a losers’ bracket contest.
PROVIDENCE ACADEMY (45) – Rowan Gilmer 3 0-0 7, Kennedy Phillips 3 1-2 7, Sarah Gouge 0 0-0 0, Aerin Hicks 2 1-2 5, Emma Honeycutt 0 0-0 0, Kinley Painter 7 0-3 16, Lilly Johnson 2 0-0 4, Kirsten Drum 0 0-0 0, Quinn Wells 0 0-0 0, Myla Johnson 2 1-2 6, Kelly Cummings 0 0-0 0, Isabella Nekuri 0 0-0 0, Totals 19 3-9 45.
DANIEL BOONE (76) – Ella Wilson 3 1-3 7, Ashlyn Seymore 2 0-0 5, Ashlyn Newton 4 0-2 10, Eva Leonard 3 0-0 9, Ayla Masters 2 0-0 6, Averie Steadman 4 0-0 10, Andrea Flores 7 3-6 21, Sidney Kestner 1 0-0 3, Kale Broyles 0 0-0 0, Lillie Walters 2 0-0 5, Brionna Fletcher 0 0-0 , Saylie Newton 0 0-0 0, Chloe McClellan 0 0-0 0, Lemiah Rosenbaum 0 0-0 0, Totals 28 4-11 76.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL | |
Providence | 6 | 11 | 18 | 10 | 45 |
Daniel Boone | 26 | 17 | 8 | 25 | 76 |
