The Clear Creek Lady Cats snatched a win to begin the basketball season.
CCMS hosted Union County last Wednesday, and the Panthers got the better of the Cats in the seventh-grade matchup, 47-25.
Clear Creek turned the tables in the eighth-grade game. The Cats caught fire in the second half to put Union away for a 57-19 win.
The Cats’ offense was slow to get going in the opening game while Union’s offense hummed. The Panthers made shots from inside and out, and used their press to force turnovers for easy transition baskets.
UCMS opened a 17-3 lead and pulled ahead 26-9 at the break. Union reached doubled digit scoring in each of the final two quarters. While the Cats’ points came more steadily, Union continued to build upon its advantage.
The Panthers were ahead 36-17 entering the fourth on their way to a 22-point win.
CCMS scoring: Maylee Bramlett (8), Laney Martin (5), Kristina Bailey (4) and Lola Howard, Maddie Jones and Lily Teague (2).
In the eighth-grade game, Lady Cat Mak Taylor scored 21 of her team-high 29 points in the second half. Joining her in double figures were teammates Ally Phillips and Rosie Everett with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
It took Union 5:30 to score its first points, and CCMS led 10-4 after a quarter. Everett went to the bench with foul trouble in the first and did not play any of the second quarter.
The Panthers took advantage of her absence in the post as they focused their efforts inside. The teams matched each other point for point, and the Cats’ led 20-14 at the half.
Taylor racked up 14 points in the third quarter as Union’s offense came to a standstill.
CCMS took a 42-19 advantage into the fourth quarter where UCMS was held scoreless. CCMS tacked on 15 more points for its first win of the year.
Lady Cats Mary Grace Jones, Toryn Adams and Presley Chaney added two points apiece.