The 3-pointer Horton hit opened up the scoring, as the Rebelettes (3-5) never trailed in their best offensive performance of the season. HC coach Jane Williamson credited her team’s work in practice to the improved offense.
“They’ve worked hard on their shooting. We’re still working on our free throws — some are much-improved and some are not. We’re getting smarter, but not as smart as we need to be,” Williamson said. “It may have been kind of ugly, but the clock was on our side in the second half.”
By halftime, Haralson County had 30 points, a mark it had only hit three times this season coming into the game. Skye Overby led the Rebelettes with a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double and she could have had more.
“Skye got 18 points against them last time. We could have turned her loose a little more, but with a lead like that you don’t want to gamble. They’re getting smarter, and at times they did really well,” Williamson said.
Along with Overby, Horton and Mahogany Harris scored nine points each, while Maci Campbell and Andrea Lasseigne had eight points each. None of the starting five were subbed out, with each playing the full 32 minutes.
“Mahogany is doing a much better job of shooting the ball and getting her shot and taking smarter shots,” Williamson said. “My five starters are improving and we’re trying to bring the second group along with them at the same time … we’re trying to play some of these other kids in JV games to bring them up. I think our starting lineup has improved since our first ball game.”
As well as the offense played, it was the defensive effort Williamson may have been most pleased with. The Lady Tigers have capable scorers, but HC kept them in check all night.
“[Kasey Price] and [Kaity Zeiders] and [Toni Epps] got 58 points between the three of them when they beat Ranburne [Ala.] and it was a close ball game all the way through. Maci Campbell was doing a good job guarding [Price], Horton guarded [Epps] and [Zeiders] was guarded by Skye,” Williamson said. "
After some seasons without much success, the biggest thing being taught this year is the ability to win. Thursday night’s game was just another step in the right direction.
“If they can play well and win some ball games and get some confidence, they’re coming along nicely. That’s what we want. We want to improve on the defense and keep people out of the paint,” Williamson said. “They made some mistakes, but that’s the part of having a 20-point lead is you have a little bit of a cushion for the kids to learn — without having to lose the ball game — what it takes to win.”
Now the Rebelettes will face South Paulding for a third time already this season. The two teams split the first meetings, with each team winning at home. The tournament semifinal matchup will tip-off today at 7 p.m.
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