SALINA - The Locust Grove Lady Pirates used an intensive third quarter to take over a close game against county rival Salina Tuesday night, as the Black and Red cruised to a 55-42 Battle of Highway 82 victory.

 

Brittany Stone of Locust, led all scorers with 17 points.  Stone also added five steals and had two, very nice block shots.  Leah Montgomery led Salina with 12 points, including shooting 4-of-6 from the charity stripe.

 

The Lady Pirates took a 12-9 lead after the first quarter of play, but went ice cold in the second quarter, shooting 25% from the field (3-of-12).  Salina took advantage of the LG miscues, and managed to take a 24-22 halftime lead.

 

"We didn't play well as a team in the first half," said LG head coach Tim Ellison.  "We did in the second half."

 

Salina would set the tone for themselves in the first 54 seconds of the third quarter.  The Lady Wildcats committed three turnovers in that time, and ended up turning the ball over 17 times in the third quarter alone.  Locust went on a 13-1 run to open the third, and managed to take a 38-30 lead heading into the final period.

 

The Lady Pirates continued their scoring campaign in the fourth quarter, scoring on uncontested lay-ups, that seemed to come quite frequently. 

 

"We finally played a third quarter, like I thought we could," said Ellison.  "We finally came together as a team, and we play well when we do that."

 

In the nightcap,  the Salina Wildcats let one slip slide right through their fingertips.  Salina led virtually the whole game, but a relentless Pirate team fought back for a 30-27 win.

 

It took the entire first half to get both teams warmed up, as Salina only led 5-0 after the first quarter.  Locust Grove didn't get their first points until 5:05 remaining in the half, when Spot Harrison hit a ten foot jumper to get the Pirates on the board.

 

Sports Chick/MCS

Locust Grove's Spot Harrison looks for an open hole in the lane.  Harrison had 11 points in the Pirates' 30-27 win over Salina.

 

Harrison scored 8 of his team high 11 in the second quarter.  Despite Harrison's efforts, Locust  Grove was still down three, 11-8 at the midway point.

 

The game was nip-tuck for most of the fourth quarter, but Salina finally relinquished their lead with 1:26 left in the game, when Randal Caldwell tickled the twine from three point land, giving the Pirates their first lead of the game, 27-26.

 

Caldwell would add two free throws a few seconds later, giving the Pirates a 29-27 lead.  Salina had the ball under their own goal with just seconds left, but a foul was called on the Cats, putting Harrison at the line.  Harrison hit 1-of-2 from the line, sealing a 30-27, come from behind win.

 

Salina will be participating in the Liberty Tournament this weekend, while Locust Grove gets a week off before their December 11 clash with the Jay Lady Bulldogs.

 

GIRLS

Locust Grove...12   10   16   17  -  55

Salina.................  9   15     6   12  -  42

 

Locust Grove - Stone 17, Burton 12, Jarnell 9, King 8, Vick 4, Morrison 3, Applegate 2

Salina - Montgomery 12, Swoffard 10, Scott 8, Blackbear 4, Ables 2, Bailey 2, Kingfisher 2, Ross 2, Thompson 2

 

BOYS

Locust Grove...0   8   14   16  -  30

Salina.................5   6   13   14  -  27

 

Locust Grove - Harrison 11, Caldwell 6, Benefield 3, Raith 3, Wallace 3, Paterson 2, Stafford 2

Salina - Monjay 10, Scott 8, Coon 3, Morris 3, Salyers 2, Smoke 1