Late push, dominant effort give Lady Ads two victories
LOUDON — Though the offense sputtered for much of the game, Farragut’s defense held Loudon’s girls to just one made field goal in the second half, pulling away from a 24-23 lead late in the third quarter to win going away, 44-25, Thursday night, Dec. 22, during Loudon Christmas Classic.
For all the defensive effectiveness, however, “We’ve still got to learn to play defense with our feet and not foul so much,” said Lady Admirals skipper Jason Mayfield, whose team went 2-0 at LHS (also beating Meigs County 56-35 Wednesday night, Dec. 21).
“Some nights you can’t make shots, and there’s not a word you can put on it,” he added. ‘It’s just one of those things we‘ve got to fight through — and we did a good job of that tonight.”
Standing at 10-4 overall, 1-1 in District 4-4A beginning this week, “We’re still trying to figure out who our six, seven, eight, nine best girls are, so they can get in the rotation,” Mayfield said.
“It’s good because practices are competitive,” he added.
Against the Lady Redskins, Farragut senior guard Annalise Bishop led all scorers with 16 points — converting seven of eight free throws in the fourth quarter.
Maelyn McNealy, senior wing, scored 13 for FHS, including a pair of three-point jumpers. Lucy Beck added six, while Mya Johnston contributed three points and Annie Priest two. Lilly Mullins sank a free throw.
Bailey Burnette and Zaylan Giles each scored six points to lead Loudon, as the Lady Redskins converted just six field goals the entire game.
FHS 56 Meigs Co. 35
Against Meigs County, three Lady Ads led the way offensively with 10 points each: McNealy, Mullins, a freshman guard, and Beck, a sophomore wing.
Three other Farragut girls each scored five points: Johnston, K.J. McNealy and Hannah Enderson.
Pumping in four points apiece were Priest and Carly Vining. Bishop score three points, all on free throws.
Maryville tournament
Farragut began play in Renasant Bank Christmas Tournament at Maryville High Tuesday, Dec. 27 (after deadline).
