BENOIT- The Leland Lady Cubs (6-2) more than tripled their opponent Ray Brook Lady Tigers(1-2) in a 60-19 road win in girls high school basketball Tuesday night.
Early in the third quarter, it appeared that Ray Brooks had enough competitive fire to make the game respectable. Ray Brooks strung together its only two consecutive baskets of the evening to open the third quarter closing to gap to 28-13. In response to the mini run, Leland junior guard Janailya McAdory came off the bench to spark a decisive run.
“She is a second half player,” said Leland head coach Patansy Miller. “She always provides the energy and spark that we need when comes in the game.”
After the home standing Lady Tigers hung around to keep their deficit right at double digits, the Leland Lady Cubs took control of the game in second quarter. Offensive rebounding, being quicker to loose balls and aggressively attacking the basket, Leland out scored the Lady Tigers 17-8 in the second quarter.
Ray Brooks had several makable shots in the quarter but missed the mark in most attempts going 1 for 13. The Lady Tigers scored one field goal in the second quarter at the 1:13 mark. Free throws accounted for the rest of their first half points where they trailed 28-9 going into the half.
“I had individual conversation with my players at the half about internal motivation,” Miller said. “Even though this wasn’t a district game and we won by a lot, we have to come ready to play and focus each and every game.”
Leland opened the game with crisp ball movement and good defense limiting Ray Brooks to one point in the first quarter. Senior guard Nikeria Perry knocked down a wide open three pointer with 1:10 remaining in the quarter to give Leland its first double digit lead of the night at 11-1. Ray Brooks scored its first bucket at 7:26 of second quarter. Leland guard Camariyah Butler led all scores with 16.
