By By SCOTT COOPER – Sports Writer
The Hillcrest Lady Jaguars visited East Brewton for a Jan. 18 game against the W.S. Neal Lady Eagles and built a big lead early before running away to a 62-30 victory.
Holding a 22-point advantage at the end of the opening quarter, the Lady Jaguars held off a determined Neal effort over the last three periods to exit with a comfortable win that improved their season record to 14-6.
The Lady Jaguars took advantage of their ability to control the boards, create turnovers and run the floor as they raced out to a 21-1 lead with a minute left in the first period. Neal's Lilly Fantroy hit a layup that reduced the deficit to 21-3 before Hillcrest scored a basket to hold a 25-3 advantage heading to the second stanza.
In the second period, the Lady Eagles stepped-up their defensive intensity and settled down on the offensive end of the court. By cutting off the Lady Jaguars' passing lanes, Neal was able to disrupt the Hillcrest transition game. Meanwhile, solid offensive performances by Shekinah Adams and Carolyn Marshall allowed the Lady Eagles (2-12) to knot the second-period score at 7-7.
Even though the Lady Eagles continued fighting hard, Hillcrest got its running game in high gear and outscored Neal 19-7 in the third period to stretch their advantage to 51-17.
Fantroy's 10 points led Neal on a 13-11 fourth-quarter run that reduced Hillcrest's winning margin. As the final buzzer sounded, however, the Lady Jaguars were owners of a comfortable 32-point win.
Lilly Fantroy led the Lady Eagles' offensive efforts with 16 points.