The Clear Creek Lady Cats came away with a pair of basketball wins before Christmas break.
CCMS hosted Dawson County to begin the week last Monday, and the seventh and eighth graders came away with respective wins of 45-25 and 40-25.
The Cats were in Blue Ridge two days later and Fannin County won both games. The Lady Rebels were victorious 29-28 in the seventh-grade game before an eighth-grade win of 44-29.
The Cats’ man-to-man defense in the seventh-grade game gave the Tigers a tough time. They only managed eight points in the first half, and Clear Creek’s Makenna Taylor was there to score 19 of the Cats’ 28 points through two quarters.
CCMS starters were able to rest for much of the second half in anticipation of the eighth-grade game. Reserves got plenty of valuable court time and preserved the win.
Rosie Everett was an effective rebounder for CCMS and added 11 points. Kensey Pritchett and Braylee Stewart chipped in with six and four, respectively. Pressley Chancey and Laney Martin both added two, and Brenlee Daniel scored one.
Coach Les McDaniel noted that the eighth-grade game was closer than the final score indicated. CCMS led 20-9 at halftime before a Dawson run cut its lead to 24-18.
“Coach Karla Cantrell called a timeout and made a defensive adjustment to slow the Dawson comeback attempt,” McDaniel said.
“From there, the Cats’ offense got back on track offensively with Sarah Dale and Jaylee McDaniel finding success with the pick-and-roll. Morgan Palmeri did a good job of taking care of the basketball. We are a much better team when she helps us stay under control.”
McDaniel led the way with 12 points, Kenley Thompson had seven, Madison Hall and Palmeri scored six each. Rounding out the scoring were Dale with four as Taylor added three and E.K. Bramlett scored two.
Fannin went on a 7-0 run to begin the seventh-grade game. CCMS got its offense going to lead 11-9 at the half and 21-19 going into the fourth quarter.
FCMS slipped ahead 29-28 with 1:15 on the clock, and the Cats were unable to get the winning shot to drop.
“We had a couple of opportunities off of sideline inbounds plays but couldn’t convert,” McDaniel said. “While I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the win, I’m proud of the girls. This team beat us rather handedly the first time around, now we’ve shown that we can play with them.
Scoring for the Cats included Taylor (17), Pritchett (five), Mary Grace Jones, Everett and Stewart (two).
In the nightcap, the Cats kept the game close early, but FCMS outscored CCMS 17-8 in the second quarter for a 31-16 halftime deficit. The Cats were able to hold the Lady Rebels to four points in the third to cut Fannin’s lead to 35-23.
A pair of Hall three-pointers kept CCMS in the game, but Fannin’s guards started hitting shots down the stretch and outpaced the Cats to put the game away.
Hall finished with nine points and was followed by Thompson and Dale (eight) and Taylor (four).
The eighth-grade Lady Cats’ record is 4-6 overall while seventh graders are 8-2.