MANCHESTER — With senior Rachel Howard giving Pineville one of the 13th Region’s elite players in the post, the Lady Lions and coach Elgie Green know they can count on scoring inside every night.
When the Lady Lions hit seven 3-pointers in a 49-point first half, they know they can beat just about anyone. That was the case Saturday against Harlan in the Donnie Gray Shootout at Clay County as Pineville took control in the second quarter and had a running clock midway through the third on the way to a 69-35 victory to improve to 12-13 on the season.
“We’ve had several games this year where we shot the 3 ball like that and got rhythm,” Green said. “We knew we had an advantage inside, but when our guards come out and hit some 3s it opens it up for Rachel inside. I was proud of the way we came out early looking to take shots and hit shots.”
Howard led the balanced Pineville attack with 18 points, but she got plenty of help. Freshman guard Clara Strange started the 3-point onslaught with treys on the opening two possessions of the game on the way to a 12-point performance. Addison Fuson came off the bench to also add 12.
The 7-17 Lady Dragons were led by Peyshaunce Wynn with 15 points and Cheyenne Rhymer with 10.
The Lady Dragons play host to Corbin on Monday. The Lady Lions will be at home against Leslie County on Monday.
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Pineville (69) — Clara Strange 12, Kailynn Burnett 1, Kaiti Hammontree 7, Madison Johnson 8, Rachel Howard 18, Hannah Abner 8, Addison Arnett 2, Addison Fuson 12, Whitley Miracle 1.
Harlan (35) — Peyshaunce Wynn 15, Cheyenne Rhymer 10, Addison Campbell 6, Shelby Doan 1, Raegan Goodman 0, Talae Taylor 3.
Harlan 13 10 8 4 — 37
Pineville 20 29 16 4 — 69
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Pineville dropped a pair of lopsided decisions earlier in the week, falling 60-27 at home to South Laurel on Monday, followed by a 61-22 defeat Thursday at the hands of host Boyle County.
In both games, Pineville dug itself into a first-half hole from which it could not claw out. The Lady Lions trailed South Laurel 39-11 at the intermission, and trailed 38-14 at halftime against Boyle County.
Sophomore Madison Johnson was the lone Lady Lions player to score in double figures against South Laurel, finishing with 11 points. No Pineville players scored in double figures against Boyle County. Freshman Kaelynn Burnett scored a team-high seven points for the Lady Lions.
South Laurel got a game-high 14 points from junior Maci Messer. Boyle County was led by freshman Kynslee Leffew with 16 points, while sophomore Addison Yates and senior Ellery Taylor finished with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Monday
South Laurel (60) — Maci Messer 14, Peyton Mabe 10, Aubrey Bundy 9, Callie Jones 6, Shelby Smith 6, Ryleigh Bretz 5, Mckenzie Fannin 5, Lexi Messer 3, Emma Adams 2, Khloe Osborne 0, Alyssa Joseph 0, Kylee Woods 0, Hallianna Massey 0, McKenna Andes 0
Pineville (27) — Rachel Howard 4, Madison Johnson 11, Clara Strange 2, Hannah Abner 3, Addison Arnett 0, Kaiti Hammontree 3, Kaelyn Burnett 2, Olivia Warren 2.
South Laurel 20 19 12 9 – 60
Pineville 6 5 10 6 – 27
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Thursday
Boyle County (61) — Addison Yates 14, Ellery Taylor 11, Maggie Burke 4, Kynslee Leffew 16, Caroline Lemons 6, Ashlen Young 2, Lily Hazlett 5, NyRiyah Graves 1, Rhylan Johnson 2.
Pineville (22) — Madison Johnson 2, Clara Strange 4, Hannah Abner 0, Addison Arnett 4, Kaiti Hammontree 2, Kaelyn Burnett 7, Addison Fuson 2, Whitley Miracle 1.
Boyle County 11 27 15 8 – 61
Pineville 6 8 2 6 – 22
