Tough Webb girls defense almost overcomes S-Hill size
KNOXVILLE — Having to play tough defense to keep Johnson City Science Hill from exploiting its distinct size advantage and team quickness, Webb School of Knoxville’s Lady Spartans came close to a big hoops home victory.
Fighting from behind most of the game before grabbing a brief lead late in the fourth quarter, Webb was crushed by a pair of late turnovers in a 42-41 loss to the Lady Hilltoppers (6-6) in Lee Athletic Center Saturday, Dec. 19.
Staying positive despite falling to 2-4 record-wise, “We’ve had three games in a row (also losses to Cookeville and Upperman) and I feel like we’ve gotten better each time we’ve been on the court,” Shelley Collier, long-time Webb head coach, said. “We’ve only had two practices in the last month because we’ve been quarantined.”
Noting she has a “young team with only three seniors,” the coach added, “I’m proud of the way they are progressing.”
Shae Berry, a junior guard, led the Lady Spartans in scoring with 13 points. She fouled out with 25 seconds left in the final frame.
Sheelove Knowles, junior guard/forward, scored 12 for Webb.
Alexis Houser, Lady Spartans freshman guard, hit a go-ahead three-point basket with 3:18 to play, scored four points in the final minute and grabbed a big rebound late. She ended with seven points.
Other Lady Spartans scorers were Kristen Sampson with four, Lily Hirsh and Madelyn Ladd with two each and Emery Green adding a free throw.
