FCS takes command of WHS in second half

WATERTOWN — It was a tale of two halves as the Lady Commanders of Friendship Christian defeated the home-standing Tigerettes 47-38 Tuesday in a District 8-A clash.
With the win, Friendship moved to 9-8 overall with a 6-3 district mark. Watertown, in its final home game, fell to 13-11 on the year and 6-5 in the district.
Neither team was able to generate much offense out of the gate in the first quarter, which ended with a 10-7 Tigerette lead.
Watertown picked up the pace in the second frame. Miaushia Thompson scored eight of her team-high 14 in the period, including four of Watertown's last six in the half. FC's shooting stayed chilly in the quarter, sinking just three of 11 shots.
Watertown took a 24-14 lead into the locker room at halftime, but adjustments from Friendship coach Deanna Teeter put the pressure on WHS in the second half.
"They got a talking-to at halftime...We let them (Watertown) set the tempo (in the first half)," Teeter said, describing the Lady Commanders' first-half play as "sluggish."
Teeter adjusted her team's press and the effect was immediate. FC scored two quick buckets early in the third quarter to cut Watertown's lead to six. The Tigerettes had trouble adapting to the new defensive look and managed just two field goal attempts, both from the three-point range, in the quarter as the Lady Commanders' high-tempo play kept the hosts out of their halfcourt game and kept the ball out of Thompson's hands in the low post.
Carly Warmath keyed FC's third-quarter turnaround. After being shut out in the first half, her eight points in the third quarter, including the go-ahead bucket with four minutes on the clock, were instrumental in the 18-4 run that put the Lady Commanders up 32-28 heading into the fourth quarter
WHS had to rely on free throws to stay in the game in the second half. The Tigerettes' first second-half field goal didn't come until 4 1/2 minutes into the fourth quarter when Thompson's layup, her only second-half points, brought Watertown within four. It was as close as the Tigerettes would get.
Brittnee Sells' three-pointer with 1:43 remaining cut FC's lead to five and Watertown committed three quick fouls to put the Lady Commanders in the bonus. Good free-throw shooting from FC never allowed Watertown to get close as the Lady Commanders shot 9-for-11 from the line in the final frame.
For FC, Warmath and Katy Vaughn each had 12 points, Gabbie Lowe scored eight, Lindsey Farmer added five and Jessi Couch netted four. Sara Hay's three and Lacey Farmer's pair rounded out the scoring.
Watertown was led by Sells' 15 and Thompson's 14. Sarah Reeder notched seven and Carley Smith added two.
Despite the loss, Tigerette coach Jeff Luttrell praised his team's effort and said their relative lack of experience was problematic when they were faced with the new press in the second half.
Friendship travels to Hartsville to face Trousdale County at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Watertown has an extended break and will take on Gordonsville next Tuesday night.

Trousdale County stops Mt. Juliet Christian
HARTSVILLE — Trousdale County's girls broke Mt. Juliet Christian's press repeatedly and shot the ball well in a 57-37 victory Tuesday night.
The Lady Jackets led 14-9 following the first quarter, 24-13 at halftime and 41-21 through three periods as they shot 12-of-29 from two-point range, 7-of-19 from three and 12-of-13 free throws.
Alyx Longnecker tossed in three 3-pointers on her way to 17 points for Trousdale County. Chelsea Brown threw in 13 and Chelsea Dickinson 11 as each tossed in two triples.
Christine Humes had 14 points and five assists for Mt. Juliet Christian while Ashley Hudson supplied seven points and eight rebounds. Kristen Tewmey scored six points, Anna Haley five and Cali Beard three. Holly Morgan hauled in eight rebounds as she and Paige Hudson each sank a free throw as the Lady Saints slipped to 12-12 for the season and 3-8 in District 8-A.
Mt. Juliet Christian will travel to White House on Saturday for a 6 p.m. tipoff at Community Christian.
Sports Editor Andy Reed contributed to this story.