By Chris Siers ~ sports@t-g.com
LEWISBURG — Offense proved a struggle for the Marshall County Tigerettes against visiting Cascade as the Lady Champions had just enough in the tank to pull away in the second half for the 36-26 win.
The Tigerettes had their chances in the first quarter, but managed just five points, including two field goals by Kayla Keiler.
Fouls became an issue for Cascade in the opening frame, but the Tigerettes cashed in on just 1-of-5 tries in the quarter and went just 3-of-12 in the first half.
Still, The Tigerettes managed to hang around and after being out-scored 10-5 in the first quarter, rallied on a 6-5 second-quarter run to cut the Lady Champion lead to just four points at the half.
The game mirrored the first-half pace of play into the third quarter until Cascade’s Annabelle Calvert hit a pair of 3-pointers to lead the way to an 11-point frame.
Marshall County countered with three baskets by Majhawra Ridley in the period, but still trailed 26-18 after three quarters.
Having struggled through much of the game, the Tigerettes did manage a strong effort at the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
Marshall County cashed in on 6-of-8 tries in the final quarter, but couldn’t get over the hump as Cascade tacked on 10 more points to coast to the 36-26 win.
Ridley had the top mark in the scoring column and led all scorers with 13 points, while Caroline Stone and Lani Jones combined for 22 points to lead the Lady Champions.
Cascade 10 5 11 10 — 36
Marshall Co. 5 6 7 8 — 26
Cascade: Caroline Stone 12, Lani Jones 10, Annabelle Calvert 6, Abby Littrell 3, Sophie Ray 3, Maribel de la Rosa 2.
Marshall Co.: Majhawra Ridley 13, Kayla Keiler 7, Adriana White 5, Maggie Steeley.
3-Point goals: Cascade (4): Calvert 2, Littrell, Jones.
Halftime score: Cascade 15, Marshall Co. 11.
