By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
The Lady Raiders are 3-1 on the post-season this week. After taking out Morgan County in the first round of the District Tournament, East’s gals claimed the Championship with a 52-43 win over West Carter. The victory marked the first District title for the Lady Raiders since 2004.
Both teams put up nine points in the first quarter, but the Lady Comets jumped out to lead by three at the half. At the end of the third, the score was tied up at 34-34.
With just over seven minutes remaining in the game, Lakota Burge tied the game up at 36 all, but fell to the ground with a twisted ankle that put her out of commission. The Lady Raiders were set on fire by the injury and went on a 10-0 run to take the lead.
“Everyone stepped their game up after Lakota got hurt,” Coach Hager Easterling said. “They just refused to lose. I thought they played really hard and I am proud of them.”
Jessica Marshall led the Lady Raiders with a double-double 18 points and 10 rebounds. Burge put up 14 and Kristin Easterling sank seven. Jordan Parsons had five and Emily Slone hit one from the field.
East played host to Raceland for the first round of the 16th Regional tournament. The Lady Raiders capitalized on their defensive strength to take a 51-31 victory.
East’s gals grabbed a 15-10 lead in the first quarter. The Lady Rams put up six quick points in the second quarter, but East held them to 13 scoreless minutes that stretched into the fourth quarter.
“We are getting better and better at half-court man-to-man,” Easterling said. “When we make shots like we did last night we are hard to beat.”
Marshall dominated the offensive field, put up a double-double 26 points and 16 rebounds. While completely ignoring a visibly still-injured ankle, Burge was able to sink nine points and play with the same grace and physically aggressive style she is well known for. Easterling sank six and Ashley Sargent had four. Courtney Sparks and Slone had three each.
The Lady Raiders face off with Boyd County tonight (Wednesday) in the second round of the Regional tourney.
“Boyd is playing very well and so are we,” Easterling said. “It’s going to be a very physical, hard-fought game.”
Boyd has played a lot of match-up zone this season while East is generally known for their half-court man-to-man defense.
“They are bigger than we are, but most teams are,” Easterling said. “We just have to get in there and battle and play with a lot of heart.”
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