OAK HILL- The Greenbrier East Lady Spartans overcame some adversity on Wednesday night, Jan. 31 as they traveled to Oak Hill and gutted out a tough, hard fought 49-43 victory over the Lady Red Devils.
Missing starter Hannah Fuller, who was out with an illness, and a couple key reserves, the Spartans took control of the game in the second half and picked up consecutive win no. 10.
After an ice-cold shooting first half that saw East go just 7-for-33 and 4-of-19 from 3-point range, they settled down some in the third quarter. With the Spartans leading 30-27, Kennedy Stewart stepped up and drained a long 3 to extend that advantage to 33-27 with 3:45 left in the third. On the next possession, Josie Banton, who was terrific off the bench, came up with a loose ball and passed to Stewart. Banton ran the floor and was the recipient of a nice Stewart pass for a layup and East went up 35-27. Ava Workman then followed with a floater off the glass and the Spartans had a 10-point lead.
Banton then forced a steal on a deflected pass that led to a Mackenna McClure basket on the other end. McClure would score another contested layup in the lane and after three, the Spartans led 41-30.
With East up 45-34 with 3:27 left, Oak Hill’s Taysia Gray broke free on a breakaway for a layup to make the score 45-36. The Red Devils cut it to 45-40 with 1:55 to go. With the score 47-43, Stewart went to the line and made 1-of-2, ditto on the next possession for McClure, and the Spartans headed back home with a key sectional victory.
Banton received player of the game honors for what she was able to do off the bench. Stewart led East with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. McClure finished with 8 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Gray led Oak Hill with 17 points.
Next up for Greenbrier East is the Battle for the Springhouse this weekend inside Colonial Hall at the Greenbrier. The Spartans will play at 8:00 PM on Friday, Feb. 2 against the Logan Lady Wildcats.
