Lady Warriors play in Great Eight tournament
Staff writer
Peabody-Burns High School Lady Warriors finished a week of tournament play with two victories and one loss.
The team lost Dec. 6 to Norwich, but bounced back with a victory Friday against Argonia, and another one Saturday against Caldwell.
After losing in the first round, fifth place was as good as the Lady Warriors could finish, and with the final two victories they did.
Norwich took the early lead in the first round game, 4-0. Traci Windsor nailed a shot from the outside to put PBHS on the board. Elaina Newell put in a basket and Jessi Hilliard sank a free throw, but PBHS was down 9-5 after the first period.
The Lady Warriors offense sparked in the second with 15 points. Hilliard had 11, while Newell and Windsor each had two. Hilliard gave PBHS a 20-19 lead with a shot at the buzzer.
The Norwich offense came on strong in the second half and poured in 33 points. PBHS couldn't keep up and scored just 16.
Hilliard had seven, Newell five, and Rebecca Morris four.
Against Argonia Friday a slow start from both teams in the first quarter saw the Lady Warriors ahead 4-3.
PBHS built a nine-point lead in the second, but Argonia came back and got within two at the half, 13-11.
Newell had two three-pointers, Hilliard added two free throws and Morris had one.
The third quarter was close with Argonia taking the lead at the three-minute mark. PBHS fought back to take the lead at the end of the period, 23-22.
Hilliard had four points, while Newell, Windsor, and Gillet each had a basket.
The Lady Warriors turned up the defense and held Argonia to just six points in the fourth. PBHS scored 14 for the victory.
Hilliard nailed six free throws and had 12 points. Newell and Gillet each had a basket.
In the fifth-place game against Caldwell, Newell opened the scoring with a three-pointer. Gillet and Hilliard added a free throw each.
PBHS turned up the defense in the second quarter, forcing turnovers and helping the offense score 14 points.
Newell had two more three-pointers while Gillett had four points and Hilliard three. Laura Hoffman added a free throw, and PBHS led 19-11 at the break.
The third quarter offenses were even as Hilliard had four points and Newell another three-pointer. Racquel Castillo hit a three-pointer at the end of the quarter to give PBHS more momentum heading into the final quarter.
PBHS tacked on 16 more points in the fourth to claim the 45-29 victory. Hilliard had 10 more points, and Newell added her final three-pointer of the game. Gillett added two and Castillo had a free throw.
Hilliard led the team in rebounds with 23, Gillett had 13, and Hoffman 10. Hilliard had seven steals and Morris six.
scoring (3 games)
Hilliard 57, Newell 34, Gillet 13, Windsor 6, Morris 5, Castillo 4, Hoffman 1.
