GIRLS BASKETBALL

Crockett scores much in 2nd to win

Kevin Odom
sports@jacksonsun.com

ALAMO – Crockett County’s girls basketball team knew it had to change the pace of the game in the second half of their district matchup with Milan if it was to win. Milan led 19-15 at halftime.

That is exactly what Crockett County did, using a pressing defense and emphasizing a sense of urgency on offense, the Lady Cavaliers scored 30 points and rallied to defeat the Lady Bulldogs 45-36.

“Coach Eddings is a really good coach and I knew he would have a good game plan for us tonight, but I did not see him slowing the pace of the game like he did,” said Lady Cavalier coach Tommy Colvin. “Especially since he has two excellent guards [Destiney Johnson and Chelseah Moore] that are so fast.”

The Lady Cavaliers’ Elli Pratt led the way in the second half as she scored 16 of her game-high 24 points by hitting open shots and driving to the basket in transition. Pratt was the game’s leading rebounder too with seven.

“We play better when the game is played at a fast pace, so we knew we had to push the ball up the court and play with more intensity in the second half,” Pratt said.

Crockett County’s Bailey Taylor had the task of guarding Milan’s leading scorer Johnson and held her to 10 points, including two in the second half. Taylor contributed eight points as well.

“Bailey did an excellent job of slowing Destiney down tonight,” Colvin said. “She frustrated her all night and limited her touches which is what we wanted to do.”

The win puts Crockett County (14-11) in sole possession of fourth place in District 13-AA with a 4-5 record and the district tournament starting next week.

“This is an important win as far as seeding for the tournament because in this district it is going to be a dogfight between the third- through sixth-place teams to advance in the tournament,” said Colvin.

Milan was very patient in the first half on offense and ran their offense until they got the shot they wanted, usually a basket underneath by Xzandrea Moore with nine points in the first half but two in the second half for a team-high 11.

The Lady Bulldogs were unable to control the pace in the second half and were unable to get their offense going to keep up with the Lady Cavaliers.