FHS girls fall to powerhouse
Farragut and McMinn Central girls basketball teams have one thing in common this season: a lack of overall size among its starters and top reserves.
Two major differences, however, were pointed out as key to a 56-41 Chargers victory Thursday night, Dec. 1, in FHS’s Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium: overall MCHS experience [four senior starters] and big-game experience, given the Chargers’ regular appearances in TSSAA Class AA state tournaments.
Farragut [3-3 starting the week] trailed 27-19 at halftime and 40-31 after three quarters. McMinn Central improved to 5-2.
As a team, “We’ve just got to get on the same page defensively a little bit. ... When we’re not making our shots we kind of go into a shell defensively,” Ads skipper Jason Mayfield said.
Sophomore guard Morgan Carbaugh led Farragut with 14 points, including 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Sophomore wing Sydney Chapman added 11.
“Morgan Carbaugh’s been shaking off some rust and stuff not being around [basketball] in the summer and fall because she’s been in other activities. She’s starting to shake some of that off,” Mayfield said. “It’s good to have her back offensively.
“Sydney Chapman’s continuing to do a good job coming off the bench and making things happen for us,” Mayfield added. “… She’s been a real bright spot offensively.”
Farragut seniors Jamie Dallas and Shelby Matthews each scored four, with freshmen Claire Wyatt and Madison Hodge adding two points apiece.
“You schedule these games, like Ensworth and Morristown West and McMinn Central for the purpose of getting exposed [experience-wise],” Mayfield said. “Would I love to be 6-0 right now, well yah, sure. But at 3-3, and we’re learning from it, I’ll take that, too. McMinn Central’s a great basketball team.
“No. 10, Jacobi Lynn, she could play anywhere,” Mayfield added about the MCHS senior, who scored a game-high 16. … And all their other players, they go about seven deep. All of them can shoot the basketball and they’re good offensively.”
Despite the win, Morgan said, “I just think we’re a lot better than we’re playing right now,” adding a possible reason: “… I just feel like they feel pressure to do good instead of just going out and relaxing and playing.”
