LINDSIDE (WVDN) – The Greenbrier East Lady Spartans walked into a hornet’s nest on Tuesday night, Feb. 7, when entered the gym of the James Monroe Lady Mavericks.
Before the game, Spartans coach Jim Justice said, “James Monroe treats us like their Super Bowl,” warning that East better come out with a lot of energy.
East brought that energy early in the game, but it faded as the game went on, giving the Mavs a monumental program win, 62-52.
The Spartans did have a game plan in the early going, and that was get the ball to Hannah Fuller. Fuller, a freshman with a size advantage almost every night on the court, executed that plan to perfection. She scored 9 points in the first quarter, but the East defense struggled to stop Mary Beth Meadows or Addison Hines. Add to that fact the turnovers the Spartans committed, and their lead should have been more. After one, East still led 15-12.
James Monroe’s Maggi Borosky hit two free throws, and Haley Hunnicutt followed with a 2-point bucket with two minutes to play in the first half, and the Mavs held a 25-17 lead to complete a 15-2 run. James Monroe could have scored more, but Mackenna McClure played tough on the defensive end that killed a couple Maverick possessions.
At the break, James Monroe led 27-19.
James Monroe (14-5) would get their lead up to 12 points at 38-26 with just over two minutes to play in the third, and it looked as though the Spartans were done for the night, but to their credit, they never quit. In fact, they made the game quite interesting down the stretch.
Back-to-back 3s from the Stewart sisters, Kennedy and Cadence, pulled East to within 4 at 41-37, but a quick 6-0 spurt from the Mavs made it 47-37 heading to the fourth and final period.
Cadence Stewart hit a triple to start the fourth, but every time it looked like East (10-7) would make a run and take command of the game, James Monroe always had an answer. Whether it was one of their 18 offensive rebounds that extended numerous possessions or hitting a big shot with Boroski, Hines or Meadows, the Mavericks just refused to lose, and that energy coach Justice referenced was sitting on empty.
The Spartans made one last attempt at a comeback, but a questionable traveling call on Cadence Stewart that led to a critical Mavs basket ended any hopes of an East win.
Cadence Stewart led the Spartans with 21 points. Kennedy Stewart hit five 3s and had 15.
Three Spartans fouled out.
James Monroe’s Borosky and Hunnicutt had 16 points each. Meadows added 12.
Stats courtesy of 93.3, WKCJ.
East is back in action tonight, Thursday, Feb. 9, at Princeton.
GE: 15 4 18 15
JM: 12 15 20 15
