COSBY-The Cosby Eagles and Lady Eagles were both in need of a boost. Each had suffered tough losses to finish out the Grace Christian Academy Invitational in Knoxville last Saturday, and their District 2A opener was looming Thursday night against Clinch.

Both teams found that boost, and started District 2A play with a roar as the Eagles (5-4, 1-0) cruised to a 56-21 win over the Wildcats (2-6, 1-2) and the Lady Eagles (6-2, 1-0) let the regular starters rest for the entire game in a 56-13 victory over the out-numbered Lady Wildcats (0-6, 0-3).

 

LADY EAGLES-LADY WILDCATS

The loss to CAK in the championship game of the Grace Christian Academy Invitational last Saturday night still left a bad taste in the mouth of Lady Eagles' head coach Richard Coggins.

"On any other night, I think we win that game," said coach Coggins. "Don't get me wrong, CAK is a solid team with a lot more experience. But, I think we were just wore out. We had played four game in four straight nights. Even still, we played them (CAK) tough, had the lead at the half, and were right there with them in the third quarter until we just went flat. We had so many turnovers and I really think we were tired."

But having not played since that championship tilt with CAK last Saturday, the Lady Eagles were rested, and ready to defend their two-time regular season and post-season tournament championships in District 2A. Since leaving District 3A for 2A in the 2007-08 season, the Lady Eagles have not lost a regular season or post season game in the District. A perfect 36-0 record. And despite having a target on their backs because of that, it doesn't seem to bother the Lady Eagles.

It was the District 2A opener Thursday night at the Eagles' Nest, and time to take care of business. And take care of business they did.

With the Clinch Lady Wildcats dressing only seven players, all inexperienced, coach Coggins gave three of his regular starters, senior Brittany Frisbee and juniors Brooklyn Stuart of Alyssa McMahan, the night off, and rotated the remaining 11 players, almost all freshmen and sophomores, for the entire four quarters, giving each plenty of minutes that should pay dividends down the road. And they did not disappoint.

The Lady Eagles took it to the Lady Cats early and often, and finished the first eight minutes with a 14-0 lead. Freshman Tiffany Smelcer led the Lady Eagle charge with a three-pointer and two two-pointers, while Maggie Gregg established herself inside with two buckets and a remaining basket from Haley Helton, who also added a free throw.

The Lady Eagles equaled their output in the second frame as Lexi Lowery and Ally Hooper got two baskets each, Dani Butler nailed a deuce and freshman point guard Marlea Costner hit a basket and two free throws to push the Lady Eagle lead to 28-3 at the half.

The Lady Eagles knocked down 17 points over the third quarter as smelcer hit another three and another deuce, Helton, Hooper, Gregg and Taylor Valentine each found the net, and Whitney Black got in the act with two baskets of her own for a 45-9 lead heading into the final stanza.

The Lady Eagles finished out the 43-point victory with Helton hitting two baskets, one from beyond the arc, Black getting a single basket, and Lindsey Wines becoming part of the show with two baskets.

"We've still got a lot of work to do," said coach Coggins. "We're young and learning how to play together, but we're making progress. It was good that all of our girls got plenty of playing time tonight."

The Lady Eagles dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Lady Cats 37-13. The Lady Eagle defense also forced 32 Lady Cat turnovers while committing just eight of their own.

Following the game, the usual starting point guard for the Lady Eagles, Alyssa McMahan, who was given the night off, said, "at least I didn't have any turnovers tonight!"

COSBY (56): Tiffany Smelcer 12, Haley Helton 10, Ally Hooper 6, Maggie Gregg 6, Whitney Black 6, Lexi Lowery 4, Lindsey Wines 4, Marlea Costner 4, Taylor Valentine 2, Dani Butler 2.

CLINCH (13): Kayla Short 7, Heather Richardson 6.

3-pointers: Cosby (Smelcer 2, Helton 1), Clinch (Richardson 2, Short 1). Rebounds: Cosby, 37 (Gregg 8, Smelcer 6, Black 6, Butler 6, Valentine 4, Hooper 3, Helton 2, Costner 1, Lowery 1), Clinch, 13 (Ashley Massengill 4, Richardson 4, short 3, Breanna Nichols 2). Team fouls: Cosby (2), Clinch (8).

FG: Cosby (25-74, 33.8%), Clinch (5-19, 26.3%). 3-Point: Cosby (3-18, 16.7%), Clinch (3-12, 25%). FT: Cosby (3-8, 37.5%), Clinch (0-0). TO: Cosby (8), Clinch (32).

 

EAGLES-WILDCATS

The Eagles have been playing a bit unsettled of late, specifically their last two games, both losses, at the Grace Christian Academy Invitational in Knoxville.

"Scott County and Knox Webb both exploited us," said Eagles' head coach Brad Flatford. "We turned the ball over way too much. Granted, both were good teams and we probably won't see a team as good as Webb for the rest of the season. But, turnovers are killing us, and we're not shooting the ball well from the outside either. We can fix those though. It's early in the season and we have a long way to go. Right now, we're still searching for some chemistry, especially starting two sophomores."

On Thursday night in their District 2A opener against Clinch at the Eagles' Nest, the Eagles committed 16 turnovers. But, they also forced 29 on the Wildcats, and were able to overcome their miscues thanks to a solid defensive effort.

"I thought our pressure was pretty good in the first half," said coach Flatford. "We got some steals and some easy baskets. Nick (Baxter) had a great defensive game. I think he had five steals on the night. He did an excellent job of getting in their passing lanes."

The Eagles didn't get the opening tip, but it really didn't matter. With junior Corey Conard taking command in the paint and knocking down four baskets, the Eagles were off and running with a 14-4 first-quarter lead. Seniors Seth Wyatt and Jake Green joined junior Robert Herzog in adding to Conard's total.

Wyatt also dominated in the paint on the evening, picking up three baskets and a free throw over the second eight minutes to go along with baskets from Green, Conard, Zach Webb and Andrew Adams. Brandon Gates came off the bench and went four-for-four from the free throw line as Adams and Wyatt also added free throws to give the Eagles a 26-point cushion, 34-8, at the half. Conard and Wyatt combined for 24 points and 15 rebounds on the night. Wyatt had four blocked shots while Conard finished with three.

"Our big guys (Conard and Wyatt) did a good job inside tonight," said coach Flatford. "They both played aggressive, and pretty much controlled the inside. It's nice to have that size. It really helps us with our pressure too because both of them get pretty aggressive with the press."

The Eagles' offensive output dropped considerably in the second half with 22 total points. Herzog dropped a three-pointer while Conard, Wyatt and Green found the nets to give the Eagles a 44-10 third quarter advantage. A three-pointer from Tanner Phillips off the bench, along with two baskets from Baxter, and single baskets from Webb and Green finished out the scoring.

Despite the lower offensive totals, the Eagle defense, behind Baxter, kept making steals, and limited the Wildcats to just two third-quarter points en route to the 35-point victory.

COSBY (56): Corey Conard 12, Seth Wyatt 12, Jake Green 9, Robert Herzog 5, Nick Baxter 4, Zach Webb 4, Brandon Gates 4, Andrew Adams 3, Tanner Phillips 3.

CLINCH (21): Chad Mabe 9, Kevin Seals 3, Ethan Murrell 2, Trevor Lamb 2, Matthew Lamb 2, Freddy Kammer 2, Kylan Seals 1.

3-pointers: Cosby (Herzog 1, Phillips 1), Clinch (Mabe 2, K. Seals 1). Rebounds: Cosby (Conard 8, Wyatt 7, Webb 5, Gates 4, Baxter 3, Jake Ledford 2, Green 2, Phillips 1, Adams 1, Herzog 1), Clinch (D. Seal 8, Mabe 3, M. Lamb 2, Morrell 2, K. Seals 2, Kammer 1, D. Lamb 1, T. Lamb 1, James Buchanan 1). Team Fouls: Cosby (8), Clinch (16).

FG: Cosby (23-52, 44.2%), Clinch (8-30, 26.7%). 3-Point: Cosby (2-15, 13%), Clinch (3-6, 50%). FT: Cosby (6-11, 54.5%), Clinch (2-4, 50%). TO: Cosby (16), Clinch (29).

 

SNOWED OUT

Cosby District 2A showdown at Hancock County, scheduled for Friday night, was postponed because of the weather and will be scheduled at a later date.