Calhoun’s fast start sets tone vs. rival
Lady Jackets have big first half against Sonoraville
The Calhoun Lady Jackets quickly seized control against rival Sonoraville on Tuesday night with some big first-half runs and rode them to a convincing subregion victory.
Calhoun opened the game and the second quarter on a separate 12-0 runs to build a 38-6 lead and never looked back in a 64-32 victory over the Lady Phoenix.
The Lady Jackets (16-3, 7-1) only allowed eight points total in the first half thanks to their pressured defense and strong rebounding as they led 45-8. Calhoun got several easy buckets in transition as they cranked up the tempo.
Jana Johns, who was recognized after the game for becoming the all-time leading scorer in Calhoun girls basketball history last weekend, led the Lady Jackets with 16 points, including nine in the first quarter.
Cassie Henderson added 10 for Calhoun, and Ryan Brzozoski, Ashlyn Barnes and Erin Hyatt all had eight apiece.
The lone player to reach double figures for Sonoraville (4-15, 3-6) was Maliyah Parks with 12. The next highest scorer was Cortney Williams, who added four.
Calhoun, who has now won eight in a row, will be back on the road on Friday for a big subregion showdown at Haralson County at 7 p.m.; Sonoraville returns home on Friday for a non-region showdown against Southeast Whitfield at 7 p.m.
In other recent prep basketball action:
Rockmart boys 62, Gordon Central 49
The Warriors started strong on Tuesday in a region road matchup, but it was Rockmart who finished the second half strong and earn the win.
Gordon Central (3-14, 1-8) led 16-14 after the first quarter and only trailed 30-24 at the half, but Rockmart combined to outscore them 32-25 in the second half and finish off the 7-AA victory.
Quan Curtis had a big night for the Warriors with 19 points. Dawson Lackey added 13, and Gabe Ross scored nine.
Gordon Central is on the road on Friday at Armuchee at 8:30 p.m.
McCallie (Tenn.) boys 80, Calhoun 55
Calhoun got behind early and could never fully recover on Monday night in a loss against McCallie at UTC’s McClellan Gym.
The Jackets ( 12- 4) saw McCallie score 27 points in the first quarter and 23 more in the second to take a 50-32 halftime lead. They were able to maintain their steady lead from there.
Malik Lawrence was one of the few bright spots for Calhoun on the night with 22 points, including hitting six 3-pointers. Chapin Rierson added 11, and Kaylan Aker scored six.