Lady Phoenix get convincing region win
One of the main signs of a great basketball team is its ability to put together long scoring runs that put their opponent in a deep hole that is almost impossible to dig out of. The Sonoraville Phoenix have been doing just that all season, and in their win over Murray County on Thursday, it was no different. The Lady Phoenix had separate scoring runs of 21-1 and 11-0 in the first half to build an insurmountable lead en route to a 70-51 home victory over the Lady Indians in region play.
Sonoraville (15-4, 11-1 in 6-AAA) trailed 8-2 early in the first quarter, but that’s when they flipped a switch and reeled off the 21-1 run that gave them a 23-9 lead at the end of the opening period. Midway through the second quarter, the Lady Phoenix went to the well once again, breaking off the 11-0 run to go up 3615 before eventually taking a 42-19 lead into the locker room at the half.
“We didn’t get off to the start we do sometimes at home, but we quickly got things going and put together several baskets,” said Sonoraville head coach Stephanie Caudell. “When we move the basketball and share it, it’s tough for opponents to find everybody, especially when we have four girls out there that can shoot it from outside.”
The Lady Phoenix continued their strong play in the third quarter to build as much as a 30-point lead at 51-21 before coasting down the stretch to a comfortable victory.
Abby Chambers and Alexa Geary led the scoring for Sonoraville with 16 points apiece, including a trio of 3s from Chambers. Lindsay Bowman added 12 points, and Matti Parker contributed nine. Caudell said she knows she can count on that quartet of experienced seniors to bring their best game each and every time out.
“They have been playing at a consistent level for the last few weeks and really all year,” said Caudell. “When they share the ball and work together to find the best shot, it really makes it hard to guard. Really all five of our starters were solid tonight. Kinsley (Long) stepped up too.”
Long, who was recently inserted into the starting lineup at forward following an injury to previous starter Brooke Jones, added eight points. Caudell said it has been a big positive being able to turn to a senior to step up into this situation with Jones out.
“It’s nice to have a senior with experience to plug in there” said Caudell. “She was ready, and I think that is going to be big for us the next few games. We’ve gotten some good contributions from the bench too from some girls trying to get into the rotation.”
Ella Dotson and Mattie Nuckolls were the leading scorers for Murray County (6-6, 4-6 in 6-AAA) with 14 points apiece. Kerra Lowe added 12, and Alyssa Usrey scored 10.
The Lady Phoenix were back at home on Friday against North Murray before opening up a two-game road stretch this coming week where they will travel to
of 3s early in the fourth to cut Sonoraville’s lead to 46-44. Lincoln Puryear also added six points.
Sonoraville trailed 9-8 midway through the first quarter before ending the period on a 9-0 run to take a 17-9 lead to the second. They then outscored Murray County 17-12 in the second quarter to take the 34-21 lead into the locker room at the half.
Sonoraville’s win keeps them tied atop the Region 6-AAA standings with LaFayette, who they split a pair of games with over the last two weeks. Mashburn said his team knows exactly how important each region game is from here on out with things so tight at the top of the standings.
“This was a huge one,” said Mashburn. “We got off to a great start this season, and we’ve hit a bit of a tough stretch this last week. Hopefully we’re close to the end of that and ready to go on another run of wins. We know how important each game is, especially at home. You’ve got to win at home, it doesn’t matter who it is. We are blessed with seniors that understand that and know what they have to do to get the job done.”
After Sonoraville’s region contest at home with North Murray was postponed on Friday due to the Mountaineers being in quarantine, the Phoenix will be on the road for a pair of 6-AAA matchups this coming week. They will visit Murray County for a rematch on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and then head to Ringgold on Friday at 7:30 p.m.