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Arms, Dowlen carry Jo Byrns to District 8-1A title




Jo Byrns celebrates winning the District 8-1A championship.KEN HERNDON

Jo Byrns celebrates winning the District 8-1A championship.KEN HERNDON

Led by a combined 42 points from Julia Arms and Brooke Dowlen, the Jo Byrns Lady Red Devils won their second district title in three seasons Saturday night with a 60-47 victory over East Robertson in the District 8-1A championship.

Jo Byrns was without starting guard Grayson Bryant for much of the game. Bryant attempted to play in the first half but was not at 100% due to a previous knee injury. Bryant re-aggravated the injury in the first quarter and left for the remainder of the contest.

Led by back-to-back 3-pointers from Ida Barnard, East Robertson took advantage of Jo Byrns’ slow start and jumped out to an 11-8 lead.

The Lady Red Devils fought back, however, and retook the lead 24-23 before the half.

“When Grayson went down, I think we sort of sunk a little bit because of what she means to our team,” Jo Byrns coach Jessica Holt said. “So, for my other girls to come in and play like they did, (it) was unbelievable. They played their hearts out tonight.”

Millie Putman drives and scores.KEN HERNDON

Millie Putman drives and scores.KEN HERNDON

Jo Byrns continued to find its offensive rhythm in the second half and began the third quarter with a 20-6 scoring run. Arms provided the spark with 10 points in the quarter.

“We finally got comfortable and gained some confidence in the third quarter,” Holt said. “With girls, it’s a mental game just as much as it is physical, so I think once they started to get a little bit of a lead, they realized that they could do this.”

After a strong first-half performance, East Robertson struggled offensively in the second. The Lady Devils’ lead continued to grow to 15 points by the fourth quarter following another three from Arms and free throws from Brooke Dowlen.

“I don’t know if the stage was just too big tonight, but this wasn’t a reflection of how we’ve played all year,” East Robertson coach Kenyatta Perry said. “We’ve earned the right to be in this game, but I told our team that tonight was a learning experience. We’re lucky enough to move on, and when we play like we’re capable (of), I think we can beat anybody in our region.”

Julia Arms pushes the ball up the court.KEN HERNDON

Julia Arms pushes the ball up the court.KEN HERNDON

Jo Byrns took home the district title, and both teams will advance to the Class 1A East Regional Tournament. Both teams will host games this Friday night. Their opponents are yet to be determined.

BOX SCORE:

East Robertson (47): Ida Barnard 15, Macy Phelps 14, Peyton Lackey 8, Katie Pennington 7, Kylie Perry 2, Savannah Hinkle 1

Jo Byrns (60): Julia Arms 22, Brooke Dowlen 20, Reese Payne 8, Caroline Reed 5, Noelle Lancaster 3, Madison Luoma 1, Millie Putnam 1

Noelle Lancastler looks to score.KEN HERNDON

Noelle Lancastler looks to score.KEN HERNDON

Peyton Lackey drives to the basket.KEN HERNDON

Peyton Lackey drives to the basket.KEN HERNDON

Peyton Lackey shoots with Noelle Lancaster (15) and Caroline Reed (32) defending.KEN HERNDON

Peyton Lackey shoots with Noelle Lancaster (15) and Caroline Reed (32) defending.KEN HERNDON

Kylie Perry boxes out Julia Arms of Jo Byrns.KEN HERNDON

Kylie Perry boxes out Julia Arms of Jo Byrns.KEN HERNDON

Ida Barnard drives deep for the layup.KEN HERNDON

Ida Barnard drives deep for the layup.KEN HERNDON

After suffering a torn ACL and meniscus a week before, Grayson Bryant participates in the District 8-1A championship.KEN HERNDON

After suffering a torn ACL and meniscus a week before, Grayson Bryant participates in the District 8-1A championship.KEN HERNDON

Brooke Dowlen finds space between two East Robertson defenders.KEN HERNDON

Brooke Dowlen finds space between two East Robertson defenders.KEN HERNDON

Madison Luoma plays defense.KEN HERNDON

Madison Luoma plays defense.KEN HERNDON

Ida Bernard drives for East Robertson.KEN HERNDON

Ida Bernard drives for East Robertson.KEN HERNDON

Katie Pennington attacks against Jo Byrns' Julia Arms.KEN HERNDON

Katie Pennington attacks against Jo Byrns’ Julia Arms.KEN HERNDON

East Robertson's Ida Bernard gets inside.KEN HERNDON

East Robertson’s Ida Bernard gets inside.KEN HERNDON

East Robertson players listen to coach Kenyatta Perry during a timeout.KEN HERNDON

East Robertson players listen to coach Kenyatta Perry during a timeout.KEN HERNDON

Peyton Lackey battles through Noelle Lancaster's defense.KEN HERNDON

Peyton Lackey battles through Noelle Lancaster’s defense.KEN HERNDON

Jessica Holt and Grayson Bryant coach Jo Byrns during a timeout.KEN HERNDON

Jessica Holt and Grayson Bryant coach Jo Byrns during a timeout.KEN HERNDON

Reese Payne shoots near the rim.KEN HERNDON

Reese Payne shoots near the rim.KEN HERNDON

Brooke Dowlen battles through contact.KEN HERNDON

Brooke Dowlen battles through contact.KEN HERNDON

Brooke Dowlen gathers her dribble.KEN HERNDON

Brooke Dowlen gathers her dribble.KEN HERNDON

Macy Phelps gets inside.KEN HERNDON

Macy Phelps gets inside.KEN HERNDON

Noelle Lancaster, Macy Phelps, Brooke Dowlen, Ida Barnard and Julia Arms were all named to the District 8-1A all-tournament team.KEN HERNDON

Noelle Lancaster, Macy Phelps, Brooke Dowlen, Ida Barnard and Julia Arms were all named to the District 8-1A all-tournament team.KEN HERNDON

District 8-1A Champions: Jo Byrns.KEN HERNDON

District 8-1A Champions: Jo Byrns.KEN HERNDON

District 8-1A runner-up: East Robertson.KEN HERNDON

District 8-1A runner-up: East Robertson.KEN HERNDON

Seven East Robertson and Jo Byrns players were named to the all-District 8-1A team.KEN HERNDON

Seven East Robertson and Jo Byrns players were named to the all-District 8-1A team.KEN HERNDON

District 8-1A Coach of the Year: Kenyatta Perry.KEN HERNDON

District 8-1A Coach of the Year: Kenyatta Perry.KEN HERNDON

 

 

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