The Walter R. Johnson Middle girls basketball team started its season strong Tuesday, then finished with a knockout punch to flatten visiting West Alexander, 43-24.
The Lady Yellow Jackets’ fast tempo created havoc, as the home team raced to a 28-20 lead after three quarters before outscoring West 15-4 in the final frame.
WJMS point guard Ansley Rooks (14 points), forward Taylor Gardin (12) and swing Madison Ervin (10) led a balanced scoring attack. Center Christina Perkins added seven points including 3-of-6 shooting from the free throw line.
The Jackets also dished out 14 assists on their 19 made field goals. Ervin, Gardin and Rooks each provided four assists, and Perkins contributed the other two. The WJMS defense — led by Katie Logan and subs Daisy Hensley and Joella Knopf — forced 23 turnovers in the victory.
Walter R. Johnson (1-0) hosts Northview Middle next Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Liberty 39, Granite Falls 13 — The Lady Knights limited host Granite Falls to only 11 shots from the field in coasting to a season-opening road victory Tuesday.
LMS was led in scoring by Sislynn Norman (12) and Malarie Tallent (10).
“Defensively I thought we played well,” said first-year Liberty coach Jason Pritchard. “Our defensive standouts were Lindsey Adams, Savannah Worley and Kaytlin Hall.”
Pritchard will be joined by assistant Matthew Turbeville this season. The 2011-12 Lady Knights roster includes Haven Worley, Maddie Phillips, Autumn Elder, Gracie Hawkins, Lindsey Adams, Savannah Worley, Caitlin Lynn, Karson Guthrie, Kaytlin Hall, Kristen Masencup, Holland Ervin, Jordan Hardin, Norman and Tallent.
“We have a great group of eighth graders returning from last year’s (conference championship) team, and we also have a very talented group of seventh graders joining,” Pritchard said.
Liberty (1-0) will start Foothills Athletic Conference action on Dec. 5 at East McDowell.
BOYS
West Alexander 41, Walter R. Johnson 31 — The Yellow Jackets squandered a three-point halftime lead in Tuesday’s opener.
WJMS (0-1) jumped out to a 9-4 lead after one period behind the inside play of Marcus Hawkins (three points), the outside shooting of Josh Rutherford and the defense of starting point guard Ethan Roper.
Guards Austin Butler and Michael Ervin connected on 3-pointers in the second quarter, while power forward Gelane Dula scored off a steal. Butler, who finished with three trifectas, led the Yellow Jackets with 13 points. Rutherford scored six while Dula added four. Roper led the team with a game-high six assists.
In fifth-quarter action, the visiting Bulldogs escaped with a 9-4 triumph. Fred Patterson and Joey Sandy each scored a basket for the Yellow Jackets.
Liberty 47, Granite Falls 44 — The Knights kicked off the season with a road win Tuesday, as forward Peyton Mull led Liberty (1-0) with 17 points and 10 rebounds and point guard Daxton Bostian chipped in with 12 points.
Guard Austin Davis tallied six points and dished out five assist, and Matthew Curtis and Jacob Byrd each tallied four points.
“We were able to jump out to an early lead due to our aggressive defense,” said LMS head coach David Waters. “Daxton forced several turnovers.”
Waters, along with assistant coach Dave Brown, released the members of the 2011-12 boys basketball team earlier this week. The Knights’ team members are John Franklin, Josh Simmons, Chris Pettus, Matthew Curtis, Logan Teeters, Landon Reece, Cade Pearson, Peyton Mull, Thomas Messenheimer, Will Kirk, Austin Davis, Chase Carpenter, Ben Brittain, Jacob Byrd and Daxton Bostian.
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