Calhoun girls have huge offensive night against Armuchee in non-region road win.
ARMUCHEE — The Calhoun Lady Jackets got a chance at one final tune-up before heading into Region 6-AAA play next week, and they certainly took advantage of it.
Calhoun used a high-powered offensive attack, which included 63 first-half point to roll past Armuchee on the road for an 84-47 non-region victory.
The Lady Jackets (123) got off to an incredible offensive start, using their press defense and quick outlet passes off defensive rebounds to get the game going at a high tempo and turn that into great looks at the basket. They led 32-13 after one quarter, and then continued the same strategy in the second quarter, never letting up to go to the locker room with a 63-29 lead.
Calhoun coach Jerry Pruett said he thinks the few days off between games and time to rest over the Christmas holidays was just what his team needed.
“I think sometimes when you get a layoff like that, you come out and play better and look refreshed,” said Pruett. “The girls got away from it for a bit and came back motivated and ready to play. I think we showed that with the way they played in the first half.”
Jana Johns had a huge night for the Lady Jackets with 37 points, 29 coming in the first half. Johns displayed her wide array of moves and shots to rack up the big numbers.
Cassie Henderson also had a great night with 21 points, including a perfect 5-for-5 on 3-pointers in the first half.
Many of those points by Johns and Henderson came off of good looks at the basket due to Armuchee turnovers forced by Calhoun’s fullcourt press as well as good ball movement by the Lady Jackets.
“It was really good for us today,” said Pruett of his team’s pressure defense. “We knew they struggled a little with it the first time we played them last week, and it took a few minutes for us to get it going today. But once we did, we got rolling.
Ashlyn Barnes was the next highest scorer for Calhoun with seven, and Bailey Wehunt added six. Nine different players reached the scoring column for the Lady Jackets.
The Lady Jackets will have over a week off before their next game when they visit Adairsville in a Region 6-AAA contest on Friday (Jan. 6) at 7 p.m.