By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
The Lady Raiders are on top this season, a fact that has been punctuated by eight wins in a row with just seven left in regular season action.
East’s gals almost shot themselves in the foot Thursday when they played host to Greenup County. The Lady Muskateers came in with just four wins on the season, but almost brought down the Lady Raiders.
East jumped out to an early 15-point lead in the first quarter and seemed to forget that the game wasn’t over.
“We quit and they kept playing,” Coach Hager Easterling said. “It turned into a battle. Greenup played hard while we had a few things to iron out and straighten up.”
Lakota Burge led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 16 points. Kristin Easterling put up 14 and Jessica Marshall had 11. Courtney Sparks sank seven and Jordan Parsons had four. Taylor Wilson put up three and Ashley Sergent sank one from the field.
Overall, East hit 58-percent from the field and went 8-for-9 at the line.
On Monday night, East hit the road for a 81-26 win over Rose Hill Christian. Facing off with less than a dozen players, East had the chance to show off their depth.
“Rose Hill is in a rebuilding year,” Easterling said. “Some of their players are still in Middle School. You have to tip your hat to them though because they gave it everything they had. They should be proud of how well they competed.”
Sergent led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 17 points, going 8-for-10 in the field. Burge had 12 and Marshall grabbed a double-double 10 points and 13 rebounds. Wilson put up eight and Sparks sank seven. Easterling and Bryana Greenhill had six each and Parsons put up three. Emily Slone, Jade Stumbo, Lexie Cline, Kelesy Stumbo and Taylor Thornsberry each had two. Overall, East hit 50-percent from the field and went 15-for-19 at the line.
“I was proud of how we played,” Easterling said. “We had 20 assist on 29 baskets. We got back to the way we were playing earlier in the year and focusing on the things we needed to focus on.”
The Lady Raiders head to Fairview, 9-6, tonight (Wednesday) for a 7:30 p.m. tip off.
“They are a totally different team from the one we scrimmaged in November,” Easterling said. “They have beaten some good teams around the region. It will be a test for us to go on another team’s floor and be ready to match intensity, rhythm and enthusiasm.”
On Thursday, the Lady Raiders return to their home court to face 10-9 Russell. The Lady Red Devils claimed the All “A” Classic title this season.
The gals from East will turn around to host Boyd County on Friday, but Easterling is not worried about player fatigue.
“We have some good depth on the bench and we have some experience with three in a row,” Easterling said. “They are teenage kids, they should be able to handle that.”
Thursday and Friday’s games will tip off at 7:30 p.m.
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