HENDERSONVILLE – “I think Cookeville humbled us, so got back in the gym and we went to work,” Stewarts Creek head coach Bianca Hensley said of the team’s 20-point loss on Nov. 17.
Stewarts Creek followed up their 62-44 opening night loss with a convincing 70-55 win on the road at Pope John Paul II Monday night.
The Red Hawks forced JPII into 24 turnovers and controlled both the paint and the glass as Zyion Shannon led with a game-high 22 points Monday night.
Second year head coach Bianca Hensley noted defense is the name of the game this early in the season.
“We are preaching defense wins championships; that is our focus right now,” she said. “We want to create turnovers because those turnovers lead to easy offense.”
Stewarts Creek routinely rushed the Lady Knights into making mistakes, both with their full-court press and half-court defense — registering 16 steals.
Autumn Adams controlled the glass for Stewarts Creek, scoring her 12 points mostly on second-chance opportunities.
The Red Hawks secured 17 offensive rebounds and added 18 second-chance points compared to only three for JPII.
Hensley hopes their non-conference schedule will prepare her team for District 7-AAA competition.
“With high expectations comes a tough schedule,” she said. “We need competitive games because we know Tuesday and Friday’s are going to be very competitive. It doesn’t get any easier from here. We want to play in March.”
Stewarts Creek will play a good Class A team in Summertown on Friday, Nov. 27 and close out their Thanksgiving Classic against DII-AA Brentwood Academy on Saturday, Nov. 28.
The Red Hawks will travel to Bradley Central on Dec. 5 before starting district play against Rockvale on Dec. 8.
Against JPII, Stewarts Creek jumped out to a 13-5 lead before ballooning their advantage to 16 at the end of the first quarter.
A three-point scoring advantage for JPII in the second frame cut their deficit to 13 at the break, 40-27.
The second half saw JPII cut into the Stewarts Creek deficit numerous times, forcing multiple turnovers, but the Lady Knights never closed the gap to less than 10 as Stewarts Creek jumped out in front 59-43 at the end of 24 minutes.
“Any kid that stepped on the floor tonight did a good job,” Hensley said. “Reese Hale off the bench made some great passes, Meagan Henegar started her first game tonight and hit a few threes, Autumn Adams on the glass was good and Zyion (Shannon) leading the way with 22; just a total team effort tonight.”
Both teams scored 12 points in the final quarter as the Red Hawks secured the 79-55 victory. The loss drops JPII to 3-1 on the season, with their next game scheduled on Nov. 28 at home against Clarksville Northwest at 4:30 p.m.
“Right now, it’s about building our foundation so that when regions roll around our girls are ready,” JPII head coach Angi Puckett said. “Our region is so tough and that is why we schedule games like this. We will be better prepared for it.”
Box Score
Stewarts Creek (79): Zyion Shannon 22, Kamaria Harris 13, Autumn Adams 12, Meagan Henegar 9, Alonna Poole 6, Zhordan Shannon 5, Reese Hale 3, Madison Hatcher 6, Taylor Turner 2, Madison McNeal 1.
JPII (55): Leanna Pearson 16, Keonna Chumbley 15, Katie Shae Collins 12, Alex Gift 8, Bethany Howard 2, Lillie Van Metre 2.
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