The Greenbrier East Lady Spartans returned home after a so-so trip to South Carolina, where they finished 1-2 and faced some stiff competition along the way.
While one may think the confidence of the team could have been shaken, East put those thoughts to rest after defeating the South Charleston Lady Black Eagles 65-57 in a huge victory to get the team back on track on Saturday, Jan. 7.
After a first half and third quarter that saw freshman Hannah Fuller take control of the paint, jump ahead to the fourth period, if you will.
Down 52-50 with just over four minutes left, Ryan White grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in to knot the score at 52-all.
A Mackenna McClure free throw put East back up by one, but the Eagles answered with Natalie Smith’s free throw as well.
Desire’e Thomas put South Charleston back up 55-53 with 2:20 to go on a made layup, but after that, it was the Spartans’ game.
They played “refuse to lose” basketball as White hit a right wing 3-pointer; McClure converted 2 from the charity stripe; and Cadence Stewart drilled a deep shot from distance. Caroline Dotson and Kennedy Stewart added two foul shots apiece to clinch the victory.
The Spartans (8-3) limited themselves to just three turnovers in the second half. The game had 11 ties and 13 lead changes.
C. Stewart led East with 16 points and 10 rebounds. K. Stewart had 13 points and five assists. Dotson added 12 points, six rebounds and six assists. Fuller was named the player of the game after her best game of her young career. She contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks.
East will travel to Beckley this Friday, Jan. 13, to take on the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles.
Stats courtesy of 93.3, WKCJ.
