SPORTS

Lady Rams roll past Shafer

Rucker-Stewart Middle girls basketball team scores the first 20 points in a rout of its cross-town rival

Craig Harris
Gallatin News Examiner

The Rucker-Stewart Middle School girls basketball team erupted for the first 20 points on Monday evening, rolling to a 57-22 victory over cross-town rival Shafer.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” Lady Rams’ head coach Kayci Coulibaly said. “We were hoping they would come out with that kind of intensity. They came out and handled business.”

Rucker-Stewart Middle forward Kaitlyn Branham looks at the basket before releasing an interior shot during second-quarter action. Branham scored two points.

The team had some open-gym opportunities over its Christmas break, but the Rucker-Stewart players had just one mandatory practice since its previous game at White House on Dec. 14.

However, the Lady Rams weren’t fazed by the layoff, forcing a series of turnovers in the lopsided first quarter.

Keely Gasterland, Jalie Joyner and Jo’Neca Ridley combined for 18 of those first 20 points.

Rucker-Stewart (7-5) called off its full-court press less than four mjnutes into the contest, after the 20-point margin was established.

The Lady Wave (3-9) broke the scoreless drought when Autumn Pincock banked in a 3-pointer with 1:55 remaining in the first quarter.

Joyner’s steal – the 11th Shafer turnover of the opening period – led to Ridley’s transition layin with 23 seconds left in the first quarter, resulting in a 28-5 lead.

“We are trying to play the easy game, get as many buckets as we can,” Coulibaly said. “We like to get it and go. That’s what they will be doing in high school. We’re trying to prepare them for the next level.”

Shafer Middle guard Emma Donley is fouled while elevating for a second-quarter layin. Donley scored two points.

The Lady Rams substituted liberally in the second quarter as most of its starting unit remained on the bench.

The margin was 38-14 at halftime

Back-to-back baskets from Jentasia Chambers and Jeremia Montgomery gave Rucker-Stewart its biggest lead (53-18) early in the fourth quarter.

Ten different players scored for Rucker-Stewart, led by Ridley (14 points) and Gasterland (12).

Rucker-Stewart Middle guard Keely Gasterland is fouled by Shafer's Autumn Pincock while penetrating to the basket during first-quarter action. Gasterland scored eight of her 12 points in the first quarter of the Lady Rams' 57-22 victory on Monday evening.

Tiana Alexander led the Lady Wave offensively with six points.

The Lady Rams swept the season series between the cross-town rivals, rolling to a 55-28 at Shafer on Nov. 12.

All of the Sumner County Conference teams returned to action on Monday, with each having just three games remaining before the conference tournament begins next week.

The Lady Wave’s final two games are against visiting Hunter on Thursday and at Ellis on Monday. Rucker-Stewart’s last two regular-season contests are at Portland East on Thursday and at Portland West on Monday.

“We’ve been making steps forward all season,” Coulibaly said. “We haven’t gone backwards. We’re excited about how they’ll play in the tournament. We know there’s more that we can squeeze out of them. Tournament time should be exciting. Hopefully, we can be that darkhorse.”

Reach Craig Harris atcharris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.

SHAFER (22) – Tiana Alexander 6, Anna Grace Ashman 4, Mikhaila Sloss 4, Kanae Carman 3, Autumn Pincock 3, Emma Donley 2.

RUCKER-STEWART (57) – Jo’Neca Ridley 14, Keely Gasterland 12, Jentasia Chambers 7, Jalie Joyner 6, Jeremia Montgomery 6, Alivia Davis 4, Alexis Bolton 2, Kaitlyn Branham 2, Janaya Newsom 2, India Rutledge 2.

Half: 38-14, Rucker-Stewart. Three-point goals: Shafer 1 (Pincock 1), Rucker-Stewart 0. Records: Shafer 3-9, Rucker-Stewart 7-5.