Eighth grade Lady Indians improve to 8-1

The LCMS eighth grade girls basketball team continued to showcase its truly skilled lineup of talented players when they defeated Unio n County before earning a bit of redemption with a victory over Pickens County during the course of their last two games.
The eighth grade Lady Indians had three players score in double digits when they traveled to Union County on Thursday, Dec. 12, to take on the Lady Panthers.
Led by Ciera Brooks’ 21 points, the Lady Indians made short work of the Lady Panthers with sensational ball movement, a tenacious defense and some potent offensive weapons.
Lumpkin defeated Union 60-33 to improve its overall record to 7-1.
Averie Jones and Madison Powell also scored in double digits for the Lady Indians in the victory. Jones, who has been outstanding for Lumpkin on the court this season, dropped 17 points on the Lady Panthers and Powell, who has been a powerful force for Lumpkin in the low post all season, knocked down 14 points in the win.
The team followed its performance against Union County looking for a little redemption when the Lady Indians hosted the only team in the Mountain League to beat them this season in the Pickens County Dragonettes at the LCMS gymnasium on Monday, Dec. 16.
After losing to Pickens by seven points earlier in the season, the Lady Indians made sure to get off to a strong start in the second matchup between the two teams. Lumpkin went on a 17-7 run in the first quarter.
Pickens implemented its full court press offense in the second quarter to some success, allowing the Dragonettes to outscore the Lady Indians 10-9. However, Lumpkin held on to a 26-17 halftime lead.
Powell had a phenomenal first half performance for Lumpkin, scoring 13 points in the first two quarters while dominating the boards.
The Lady Indians once again outscored Pickens County in the third quarter, 11-8, to take a 37-25 advantage in to the final quarter of the contest.
Both teams’ offense heated up in the fourth quarter, with each team scoring 17 points. But, when the final buzzer sounded, the Lady Indians claimed the redemption they were looking for with a 54-42 victory.
Jones, who had seven points in the first half of play, went bonkers on the Dragonettes in the second half. Jones proved to be a beast on both sides of the court and helped force several key turnovers down the stretch while scoring 13 second half points.
Jones’ stellar play allowed the young star to finish the game as Lumpkin’s top scorer with 20 points.
Powell’s offensive production slowed in the second half, but the standout center still knocked down 17 points in the victory.
Brooks, who has started to really come into her own for the Lady Indians lately, had another solid performance for her team with 15 points.
The win improved the Lady Indians’ overall record to 8-1.
“Victory did taste pretty sweet against Pickens last Monday after being defeated at their place by seven,” said LCMS girls basketball coach Laura Wilson. “Pickens has an extremely talented and disciplined team and I love the competition they bring to the table. That game had us all on the edge of our seats and Pickens is definitely a rival that we look forward to seeing.”
Given the level of talent, skill and effort that her players possess, Wilson is confident that the team’s focus headed into the final few games of the season is laser sharp.
“The eighth grade team has their eyes set on the number one spot at the end of the season and prove each time they step on the floor that they are deserving of the title of champions,” Wilson said. “I hope to continue the tradition and bring the trophy back home to Lumpkin County come January.”
The eighth grade Lady Indians will now prepare for the final stretch of the season before taking part in the Mountain League Championship tournament during the Christmas break.
The LCMS eighth grade girls basketball team will step back on to the court when they travel to Dawson County to take on its rival the Lady Tigers on Thursday, Jan. 9. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.