By Michael Lindsay
Nine First-Half Three-Pointers Lead Lady Owls To 62-37 Victory Over Jackson County
A hot shooting performance led the Smith County Lady Owls to their fourth District 5-2A victory of the season Friday evening as they hit 11 three-pointers en route to a 62-37 victory over Jackson County.
Friday’s win over the Lady Devils is the second in five days for the Lady Owls as they won in Gainesboro on Monday, 49-38.
“I was a weird week because we played them Monday night,” said Smith County head coach Matt Ferrell.
“We had to turn around and play them again with nobody in between. So we had an entire week of prep and we did a ton of shooting.”
Emry Jones led Smith County Friday with 20 points on 8-11 shooting and three three-pointers while Merissa Spivey tacked on 12 points. Jalynn Meadows led Jackson County with 11 points.
Smith County held a 14-9 lead after the first quarter before heating up behind in the arc in the second period as they outscored Jackson County 27-10 in the frame to take a 41-19 lead at halftime.
The Lady Owls hit nine three-pointers in the first half including six in the second period. Jones posted 15 of her 20 points in the second quarter.
“Defensively, we were really good in the second quarter and that turned into a lot of transition opportunities,” said Ferrell. “
Smith County kept control in the second half as they led 52-31 at the end of the third quarter before closing out to win by a 62-37 final score.
The Lady Owls improve to 15-7 overall and 4-0 in District 5-2A play while Jackson County falls to 14-7 and 2-3 following their two matchups this week.
“There’s not very many people like (Jackson County girls coach) Jim Brown,” said Ferrell. “The knowledge of the game he has, you’re not going to put him in a situation he hasn’t been in. Getting the chance to play against a really well-coached team is a good experience for our kids.”
Smith County is currently tied in first place in district play alongside York Institute, who is also undefeated at 3-0. The pair is scheduled to meet Monday in Jamestown.
“I’ve been watching girls basketball in this are for over 30 years, and there may not be another Reese Beaty come through here,” said Ferrell on York Institute’s Clemson-commit point guard. “We’re ready, but you have to see that live and in person.”
Smith County (62): Emry Jones 20, Merissa Spivey 12, Chloe Collins 8, Sarah Wilmore 8, Airyn Enoch 4, Julia Dickerson 4, Dacey Claywell 3, Scarlet Powell 3
Jackson County (37): Jalynn Meadows 11, Erin Davidson 9, Reece Thomas 6, Claire Williams 5, Alanna McQuiston 3, Mallory Mayberry 2, Nivie Matthews 1
Gage Gibbs’ Buzzer Beater Sends Smith County To Overtime As Owls Defeat Jackson County, 63-58
Friday’s Jackson County at Smith County boys game needed an extra frame to decide a winner as the homestanding Owls defeated the Blue Devils in overtime, 63-58.
Smith County (9-15, 3-1) trailed by nine points in the fourth quarter before cutting their deficit to three (51-48) with less than 10 seconds left, setting up Gage Gibbs’ game-tying corner three-pointer as time expired.
The Owls pulled away in the overtime period as they outscored Jackson County 12-7 to win by a 63-58 margin, splitting the season series with the Blue Devils as Jackson County defeated Smith County 63-42 on Monday.
“That’s a really good feeling,” said Smith County head coach Trey Sanders. “Great atmosphere here for senior night and a big shot by Gage Gibbs. Jackson County is a good team and I’m proud of the way our guys responded.”
Clayton Rigsby led the Owls with 16 points along with 10 by Taylor Kemp. Sophomore forward Will McCrary led Jackson County with 19 points.
Jackson County held a 14-13 lead after one quarter following an Aeden Netherton buzzer-beater to end the frame.
The Blue Devils pushed their lead out to 27-22 via a Zavion Mitchell three-pointer with 1:44 remaining until halftime as Jackson County led 27-24 at the break.
Jackson County held their lead throughout the third quarter as a McCreary basket at the buzzer gave his team a 41-35 advantage entering the fourth quarter.
A Waylon Kennedy three-pointer pushed the Blue Devils’ advantage to nine points with 7:40 remaining. Smith County cut their deficit to four points (44-40) midway through the frame before Jackson County extended their lead back to eight points (50-42) with 2 minutes left in regulation.
“I told the guys we’ve got to keep attacking the basket and looking for the free throw line,” said Sanders. “They kept digging.”
The Owls battled back within one possession via a Riley Martin three-pointer with 46.6 seconds left in regulation made the score 50-47 in favor of Jackson County.
The teams traded a free throw each over the following 30 seconds as Jackson County led 51-48 with 11.3 seconds remaining.
Following an inbounds pass from the sideline, Rigsby found Gibbs in the corner for a three-pointer to send the game to overtime tied at 51.
“Gage was on the bench at that time, but he’s our best three-point shooter and we knew we had to have that,” said Sanders. “We got the ball to one of our best slashers hoping to draw the defense and it worked.”
The Blue Devils scored first in overtime before Rigsby answered with an and-one to give the Owls a 54-52 advantage. Smith County never relinquished their lead as the Owls went on to win by a 63-58 final score.
Smith County improves to 3-1 in District 5-2A play while Jackson County falls to 3-2. The Owls are set to play at York Institute on Monday while Jackson County is set to host Trousdale County.
Smith County (63): Clayton Rigsby 16, Taylor Kemp 10, Tyler Jones 8, Gage Gibbs 7, Riley Martin 6, Parker Babcock 6, Bennett Gammon 6, Peyton Hix 4
Jackson County (58): Will McCrary 19, Waylon Kennedy 10, Parker Patterson 9, Alex Meadows 9, Aeden Netherton 6, Zavion Mitchell 5
