Lady Raiders defeat visiting Jellico, 70-58

By Steve LeMaster
stevelemastersports@yahoo.com

STEARNS – McCreary Central pulled away to defeat visiting Jellico, a rival from neighboring Tennessee, 70-58 in an early-season girls’ high school basketball game on Saturday.

With the win, McCreary Central improved to 2-3.

McCreary Central, under the direction of head coach Larry Anderson, shot 45.3 percent (24-of-53) from the field.

The Lady Raiders were 8-of-18 (44.4 percent) from 3-point range.

McCreary Central shot 66.7 percent (14-of-21) from the free throw line.

Faring well inside, McCreary Central claimed 30 total rebounds.

The Lady Raiders, who led at the conclusion of each quarter, outscored Jellico 23-16 in the final period.

Four McCreary Central players reached double figures in the scoring column. Leading the Lady Raiders to the victory, Allyson Anderson scored 22 points. Allyson Anderson connected on a trio of 3-point field goals for host McCreary Central.

Finishing directly behind Allyson Anderson in the McCreary Central scoring column, Lauryn Phillips drained four 3-point field goals and scored 21 points.

Elizabeth Anderson recorded a double-double for the Lady Raiders, scoring 11 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

Also reaching double figures in scoring for McCreary Central, Macey Welchel posted 10 points.

Julia King and Makenzie Cox rounded out the McCreary Central individual scoring with four points and two points, respectively.

McCreary Central led 30-26 at halftime of the early-season hoops matchup.

The victory over Jellico allowed McCreary Central to return to the win column following back-to-back losses to East Jessamine and 48th District nemesis Wayne County.

McCreary Central is slated to visit Jellico for a late-season girls’ high school basketball game on January 29, 2018.