Toccoa, Georgia- The Lady Panthers (1-2) traveled to Toccoa, Georgia to face the Stephens County Indians (4-1). The Lady Indians are coming off a big season last year and returning a lot of seniors. The Lady Panthers are still young and trying to find a rhythm to start the season.
The Lady Panthers got off to a rough start, having a shot blocked and turning the ball over to start the game’s first two possessions. Junior Ava Hunter got the Panthers on the board as she would draw some fouls and get to the line multiple times in the first quarter. The Lady Panthers’ defense was having a hard time stopping the Lady Indians, who could shoot from all over. The Panthers weren’t doing themselves any favors, turning the ball over as the Indians would score on most those turnovers. To end the first quarter, the Lady Panthers were down 17-13. To start the second quarter, the same issues were happening for the Lady Panthers, turning the ball over and giving the Indians chances for a lot of 3 point plays due to fouling on layups or midrange shots. To close the half, the Panthers were starting to score and cut the lead to 5, as the Indians were turning the ball over a lot towards the end of the quarter. The Panthers cut the lead to 30-25 at halftime. The Panthers got off to a great start in the second half, getting a turnover and getting 2 quick points from Freshman Lara Turner. The Lady Panthers would go back to turning the ball over, turning it over 3 times in back to back to back possessions. The Indians would go on a quick 10-0 run, forcing the Lady Panthers to call timeout. The Indians would keep scoring and keep their foot on the gas, pushing their lead to 11, up 46-35 at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Indians would go on a 13-3 run to start the 4th quarter. The Lady Panthers would fall to the Indians, 64-44. The Lady Panthers were led by Junior Ava Hunter and Sophomore Ellie Cook. The Lady Indians were led by Senior Tynajiah Eades ands Senior Ranajah Verdell.
The Lady Panthers fall to 1-3. The Lady Panthers host Tallulah Falls on Tuesday, December 7 @ 6:00.