The Commerce High School Lady Tigers are 2-6 overall, but they’re 2-0 in region play before the Christmas break.
Saturday night was hard on the Lady Tigers as the much quicker quad-A Apalachee squad overran the Lady Tigers in a lopsided 50-30 game.
Commerce will return to the court in the Jackson County Jingle Jam Christmas Tournament next Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 29-30.
The Lady Tigers face off against Providence Christian in the first round of the tournament on Monday Dec. 29. Action starts at 3 p.m., with the Commerce boys versus Providence Christian to follow.
Commerce was flattened early on as Apalachee hit the court hard and fast. According to coach Eddie McCurley, the youngness of the team coupled with the quickness of its opponent spelled disaster from the start. McCurley said that until the Lady Tigers learn to actively adjust on the court the quickness of the other teams are going to be a problem.
“We are working hard with the Commerce program in understanding the game,” said McCurley. “[The girls] have to learn how to adjust to how the other team is attacking them, then make adjustments. That is learning the game.”
McCurley pointed out how late in Saturday’s game the Lady Tigers made a couple of shots after attacking the post, but Apalachee adjusted and cut it off, which left Commerce unable to find an opening.
After the loss of Jessie Flint to a sprained ankle in the second period, Commerce was forced to utilized some freshman. At the half, Apalachee led 25-11.
Commerce could not overtake Apalachee as the Lady Tigers fought to cut the Wildcats’ lead down to 11 points with five minutes left in the game only to see the AAAA team surge in the remaining minutes to end the contest with a 20-point win over the Tigers.
Despite the loss, McCurley said that Shekia Moon and Jordan Lord gave good performances off the bench.
Jaz Grier led Commerce offensively, scoring 14 of the team’s 30 points. McCurley praised Grier as having great potential for the Lady Tigers. Lauren Jones added six points, Logan Brown and Vanessa Chandler scored three apiece, and Allie Morgan and Jessika Kyle contributed two points apiece.
“We did not adjust well in the game, offensively or defensively. That is something we have got to keep coaching and teaching,” McCurley said. “We would love to win them all, … every time we play we have to take a step forward. This is a process; we are trying to build a program. I will never give up on them.”
