Super Saturday sparks Burke basketball fever

Credit: Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

Freedom High basketball player Melissa Collett, No.50, watches for a rebound opportunity in the Patriots game against R. J. Reynolds High during the Super Saturday scrimmage event in Morganton on Saturday.

By: Jason Baker | Morganton News Herald
Published: November 15, 2009

Morganton --

Freedom High hosted the sixth annual Super Saturday girls basketball scrimmage featuring 22 top-notch teams with top-notch talent.
The Lady Patriots, as well as the other 21 teams participating in the all-day scrimmage, faced three different teams.
Freedom's first opponent was Wilkes Central High. The Lady Pats won the first scrimmage 54-29.
The offensive attack, led inside by Keonna Lewis and Chelsea Connelly and from outside by Brittiany Roberts, helped Freedom take a 30-15 lead after one half of play.
In the second half, Wilkes Central made late surges from three-pointers by Katie Ryder. Connelly's inside presence and Roberts' outside game, along with help from Jewel Walker, Erin Phillips, and Melissa Collett, kept Freedom on top.
Freedom's next opponent, R.J. Reynolds High, brought stiffer competition to the Lady Pats. Reynolds won 35-24.
The Demons' offensive power came off of inside baskets by Whitney Knight, Danielle Butler and Ashton Fleming in the first half.
Lewis, with an outside three-pointer and an inside two-point basket, kept Freedom's deficit at eight points after one half.
The Demons' offensive power continued with Knight, Tori Hardy and Erin Naylor's inside presence.
Freedom's final game was against Bishop McGuinness High, winner of four straight state championships from 2006 to 2009.
The Lady Patriots used this game as a statement point, holding off late Bishop charges for a 37-33 victory.
Walker, Connelly and Alexis Pearson led the first half inside charge. There were three-point baskets by Roberts, Phillips and Yolanda "Yo-Yo" Connelly.
Sammi Goldsmith, Erin Fitzgerald, Erin Liebal and Lauren Cushing provided the scoring punch for Bishop.
Freedom led 24-19 at the half.
In the second half, it was a back-and-fourth battle with Bishop totaling a one-point advantage.
Baskets by Lewis, Roberts and Yolanda and Chelsea Connelly helped Freedom get the lead and hold it until the end.
After the scrimmage, Freedom head coach Amber Fox explained the strengths and weaknesses shown in the Super Saturday scrimmage.
"I thought we played really hard. I think we need to do a better job off the ball defensively and taking care of the basketball on offense," Fox said. "We're going to continue to work on pressuring the ball defensively and get running on the floor."
Freedom opens the season on Nov. 27 at Draughn High.

Super Saturday sparks Burke basketball fever

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