No. 5 Kierra Merriweather shoots from the line vs. Red Bay. / Johnny Thornton
TRINITY – Kelly Pickett was the catalyst for the Hanceville Lady Bulldogs, getting them off to a good start in the West Morgan play day Tuesday.
The point guard went on a tear offensively in the closing moments of the first half and at the ending to lead Hanceville by Red Bay 39-32.
The sophomore brought her team to life when they were down 16-9 at 7:42 of the opening half. Pickett scored the last four baskets, three of them in a span of a minute and 35 seconds. It enabled Hanceville to reduce the deficit to 16-15 at intermission.
Lauren Robertson put Hanceville ahead 19-16 to start the second period with a 3-pointer. Red Bay was able to regain the advantage at 24-22 with under 13:00 remaining.
The time was right for Hanceville to show heart in making a comeback. Karmen Johnson gave them a 25-24 lead with a three-point play. After allowing Red Bay a field goal and a three, the Lady Bulldogs were able to offset poor foul shooting in which they missed 10 for the game and get some crucial baskets late by their defense.
Free throws by Cassidy Campbell had Hanceville down 32-31 with 3:55 left. A steal and layup by Malia Howell pushed them back in the lead at 33-32 with 3:34 to go.
Red Bay was never able to produce any more points because of Hanceville raising its intensity on defense.
Free throws from Pickett extended the lead to 35-32 with 1:13 left, Kierra Merriweather got a basket off a steal and the margin moved to 37-32 with 43 seconds left.
In running out the clock, Pickett drove to the basket and scored on a layup to complete a 24-16 second half advantage and a 39-32 triumph.
Pickett wound up with 20 points to anchor Christina Watson's ball club. Johnson tossed in five, Howell and Campbell scored four each, Robertson three and Merriweather finished with two.
West Morgan ran by Hanceville 52-22.
Hanceville went 9:00 without scoring in the first half and West Morgan capitalized. A 20-7 run in the final 15:00 broke open a close game with the Lady Rebels up 36-13 at the break.
Johnson scored nine in the contest to pace the Hanceville attack. Campbell finished with six.
Playing in the finale vs. Elkmont, the game was no contest for Hanceville. The Lady Bulldogs prevailed 54-38.
Pickett had six baskets in the first 12:00 that sparked the Lady Bulldogs to a 25-6 lead.
Robertson, Johnson and Howell chipped in offensively too, while Campbell stood out on the defensive side, rebounding in the low post.
Hanceville held a 31-15 lead when the half closed.
Four minutes into the second stanza, Hanceville led 35-17 when Campbell scored. A three-point play by Merriweather half a minute ;later propelled the Lady 'Dogs to a 38-17 lead.
Elkmont produced seven consecutive points and closed to 38-24 with 13:30 to go in the game.
Merriweather took the ball the length of the floor for a layup and Hanceville led 42-24. The Lady 'Dogs controlled the game the rest of the evening.
The largest lead was 20 points at 48-28 when Pickett kicked a pass to Campbell, who hit a jumper from the left wing.
Pickett's 12 points in the half was good enough to lead Hanceville. Johnson tallied eight, Merriweather seven, Robertson scored six, Howell had five and Campbell had four.
Hanceville has one more assignment on the play day schedule, Watson told The Tribune. The Lady 'Dogs will play at Decatur Heritage next Thursday.
Locust Fork completed the West Morgan play day at 3-0, Hanceville was second at 2-1, followed by West Morgan and Cold Springs 1-1, Red Bay and Elkmont 0-2.
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