Following a 53-30 loss to North Hall at Phillips Arena last week, the East Jackson Lady Eagles hoped to rebound in the DQ Classic this week in Hart County.
Results of that tournament were unavailable at press time.
East Jackson will return to the court on Jan. 6 for a region match-up with Union County at home. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Lady Trojans took control of the game early, moving out to a 16-6 lead in the first quarter. They extended that lead while holding East Jackson to only six points in the second, carrying a 32-12 score into the half.
It was more of the same in the third quarter, with North Hall moving out to a 45-19 lead. The Lady Eagles mounted a late charge, adding 11 points while holding North Hall to eight, but the Lady Trojans coasted to a 53-30 win.
Caroline Hicks led East Jackson with eight points, while Shelby Johnson and Autumn Wilbanks both scored six.
Bralee Griffin, Dynelle Todman, Johnson, and Hicks had four rebounds each, and Callie Moore had four steals.
It was the second loss of the year to North Hall. The Lady Eagles faced them previously at the East Jackson Thanksgiving tournament, where the Lady Spartans won by two points in a buzzer-beater.
“I wish we could have made a better showing at Philips Arena, but we will move on and learn from that experience,” said coach Amy Larimer. “We have a very tough Christmas tournament in Hart County ahead of us, including three consecutive games. We have to be ready to play and perform at our highest level.”
Larimer said she hopes that playing the tough teams they’ve faced will benefit the Lady Eagles when region play begins next month.
“I think that we can be very competitive in region competition this year and I am anxious to see how we respond.”
