Last Monday night, the Russellville High School Junior Varsity and Varsity Lady Panthers played their very first basketball game of the season. Competing against the Warren Central Dragons at home, both games were definitely battles worth watching.
To start off the night, the Junior Varsity team played. This group is still very young with the oldest members being only sophomores and the youngest members being 8th graders. Despite their age and their loss to the Dragons, it was apparent that this young team could still hold their ground throughout the night.
During the first quarter it was apparent that the JV Lady Panthers were somewhat rusty from their long training period. It ended with the Dragons ahead 16-5; however, the Panthers held the Dragons to only three points in the second quarter, forcing multiple turnovers and showing more of a team effort. With their incredible defense, they made a way to add 9 points to the scoreboard, cutting the deficit to only five points before halftime. Unfortunately, after the half, they were not able to keep this momentum as the final score was 37-22 in favor of the Warren Central Dragons.
Similar to the Junior Varsity, the Varsity team started the first quarter with first game jitters. With new head coach Cameron Jackson, a new training program, and a new set of plays, it took a little time for the Lady Panthers to adjust into game mode. Although they only totaled nine points to the score, the Panthers were able to hold the Dragons to15 to keep the game close by the end of the first quarter.
Throughout the course of the second quarter, however, they were able to turn the game around for the better. Chloe Whitescarver, a sophomore, started an offensive run for the team in the mid-second quarter, knocking down a three to further close the gap between the two teams by cutting the Dragons lead down to only two points.
Afterwards, the Panthers were able to make a stop on the defensive end which allowed senior Brooklynn Ray to tie the game with a shot from the right block. Even though the Dragons made another bucket to take the lead back, senior DeShala Leblanc made an amazing pass to Brinley Mason, an 8th grader, to tie the game once again. This time, the Lady Panthers successfully held the lead with a smooth three by Macaria Hines, a sophomore, just a few seconds before the buzzer leading in to halftime.
In total, the Panthers accumulated 20 points in the second quarter alone with an overall score of 29 points, compared to the Dragons’ 26.
After the half, the Lady Panthers continued their fight and defeated the Dragons with a score of 59-45 to make their record 1-0.
Without a doubt, this win was the result of good teamwork as there were 8 contributors to the Panther's total score. Of these contributors, the two leading scorers were freshman Anastasia Dowlen, who grabbed 13 rebounds and added 17 points as well as DeShala Leblanc, who continued to show her experience, leadership, and strength as a senior. She scored 14 points. Jayce Buchner added 8 rebounds.
It’s safe to say that both the Junior Varsity and Varsity Russellville High School Lady Panther basketball teams have a bright season ahead.
Warren Central (47) Krisheana Johnson 12, Alyssa Conner 11, Taelor Leach 9, La Aunhni Lewis 9, Ilysia Villafuerte 4, Kyleigh Ray 2, Mytavia Graham, Kenneddee Robinson, Allyah Whitfield, Jimea Shobe, T’ona Shaver
RHS (59) Anastasia Dowlen 17, DeShala Leblanc 14, Chloe Whitescarver 9, Brooklyn Ray 8, Jayce Buchner 3, Macaria Hines 3, Amiyah Collier 1, Brinley Mason