Lady Vikings basketball sweeps trio of opponents
Jamie Shell / (sports@averyjournal.com)
Avery Lady Vikings bounced back from its first conference loss this season by routing three straight opponents in a hectic four days of hoops contests.
The Lady Vikings hosted Owen on Tuesday, Jan. 17, defeating the Warlassies by a 57-44 final score in a game less competitive than the score indicated.
The Big Red took a 16-9 edge after one period as the forward pair of Megan Tennant and Lauren Burleson teamed for nine points in the frame. Avery extended its advantage to 29-16 at halftime, as Burleson ended the half with 11 points to lead all scorers.
Owen had no answer for the Avery defense, turning the ball over on multiple occasions. Tennant and Kelsie Clarke scored four points each in the frame to increase Avery's lead to 44-24 entering the final quarter. Owen outscored the Lady Vikings 20-13 in the final eight minutes, but it proved in vain as Avery converted enough free throw attempts down the stretch to preserve a 13-point win.
Tennant scored 15 to lead the Lady Vikings, with 14 from Burleson and 11 points from Kelsie Clarke.
"We have been working on our defense, and I felt we played defense really well against Owen," said AHS head coach Missy Lyons. "Both Megan and Lauren had good games. We didn't shoot the ball well, but our defense played strong. Our effort was better than it was in our last game against Mitchell, and even though our shots weren't falling, the energy was 1,000 times better than it was at Mitchell."
Two evenings later, Avery hosted West Wilkes, again earning a 13-point victory, this time by a 70-57 final score.
Avery started off the contest shooting well, as six different players tallied points as part of a 20-8 Lady Vikings lead after one quarter. The hot shooting continued, in addition to aggressive shot blocking and tight defense, as the Lady Vikings poured in 19 points in the second quarter to pad its lead to 39-20 at halftime.
West Wilkes refused to quit, however, outscoring Avery 37-31 over the final two frames. Avery's strong first half play proved too great a hurdle for the Lady Blackhawks to overcome as the Lady Vikings earned the season sweep.
Clarke led the way for Avery with 16 points, with 11 points each from Tennant and Breanna Heaton. Katie Rigdon added 10 points.
"We were able to play everybody and give everyone a lot of experience and playing time," Lyons added. "I thought we played a really good offensive and defensive game against West. We broke down a little at the end of the game, but overall we played well."
Avery played its third game in four nights as it traveled to Forest City to play Thomas Jefferson Academy. Playing shorthanded, TJ proved no competition for the Big Red, as the Lady Vikings cruised to a 76-25 win.
The Lady Vikings forced 24 Gryphons turnovers in the contest, many coming in the first period, as Avery dominated the frame in leading 24-2 after eight minutes. AHS proved to have its way with TJ throughout the remainder of the half, outscoring the Gryphons 21-5 in the second period to take a 46-7 halftime lead. Lady Vikings reserves saw extended minutes in both the first and second halves of the blowout victory.
Clarke tallied 16 points to lead Avery, with 11 points and nine rebounds from Burleson, 10 points from Shayna Vance and eight points apiece from Tennant and Jessica Ramsey. Ramsey also added eight rebounds.
"We talked about working on some things going into the game. Our press worked well, and we worked on our zone defense and fast break. We didn't shoot free throws well, though," Lyons added. "I thought we passed the ball well. We shot well from the three-point line when they went zone, and once we built the lead, we worked on a number of things that we can carry into next week."
Avery traveled to Hendersonville earlier this week, and returns home for conference action this Friday, Jan. 27, against Polk County.
The Lady Vikings hosted Owen on Tuesday, Jan. 17, defeating the Warlassies by a 57-44 final score in a game less competitive than the score indicated.
The Big Red took a 16-9 edge after one period as the forward pair of Megan Tennant and Lauren Burleson teamed for nine points in the frame. Avery extended its advantage to 29-16 at halftime, as Burleson ended the half with 11 points to lead all scorers.
Owen had no answer for the Avery defense, turning the ball over on multiple occasions. Tennant and Kelsie Clarke scored four points each in the frame to increase Avery's lead to 44-24 entering the final quarter. Owen outscored the Lady Vikings 20-13 in the final eight minutes, but it proved in vain as Avery converted enough free throw attempts down the stretch to preserve a 13-point win.
Tennant scored 15 to lead the Lady Vikings, with 14 from Burleson and 11 points from Kelsie Clarke.
"We have been working on our defense, and I felt we played defense really well against Owen," said AHS head coach Missy Lyons. "Both Megan and Lauren had good games. We didn't shoot the ball well, but our defense played strong. Our effort was better than it was in our last game against Mitchell, and even though our shots weren't falling, the energy was 1,000 times better than it was at Mitchell."
Two evenings later, Avery hosted West Wilkes, again earning a 13-point victory, this time by a 70-57 final score.
Avery started off the contest shooting well, as six different players tallied points as part of a 20-8 Lady Vikings lead after one quarter. The hot shooting continued, in addition to aggressive shot blocking and tight defense, as the Lady Vikings poured in 19 points in the second quarter to pad its lead to 39-20 at halftime.
West Wilkes refused to quit, however, outscoring Avery 37-31 over the final two frames. Avery's strong first half play proved too great a hurdle for the Lady Blackhawks to overcome as the Lady Vikings earned the season sweep.
Clarke led the way for Avery with 16 points, with 11 points each from Tennant and Breanna Heaton. Katie Rigdon added 10 points.
"We were able to play everybody and give everyone a lot of experience and playing time," Lyons added. "I thought we played a really good offensive and defensive game against West. We broke down a little at the end of the game, but overall we played well."
Avery played its third game in four nights as it traveled to Forest City to play Thomas Jefferson Academy. Playing shorthanded, TJ proved no competition for the Big Red, as the Lady Vikings cruised to a 76-25 win.
The Lady Vikings forced 24 Gryphons turnovers in the contest, many coming in the first period, as Avery dominated the frame in leading 24-2 after eight minutes. AHS proved to have its way with TJ throughout the remainder of the half, outscoring the Gryphons 21-5 in the second period to take a 46-7 halftime lead. Lady Vikings reserves saw extended minutes in both the first and second halves of the blowout victory.
Clarke tallied 16 points to lead Avery, with 11 points and nine rebounds from Burleson, 10 points from Shayna Vance and eight points apiece from Tennant and Jessica Ramsey. Ramsey also added eight rebounds.
"We talked about working on some things going into the game. Our press worked well, and we worked on our zone defense and fast break. We didn't shoot free throws well, though," Lyons added. "I thought we passed the ball well. We shot well from the three-point line when they went zone, and once we built the lead, we worked on a number of things that we can carry into next week."
Avery traveled to Hendersonville earlier this week, and returns home for conference action this Friday, Jan. 27, against Polk County.
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