FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Oak Mountain High School girls’ basketball team outlasted a gritty Shelby County team in a 39-20 win in the final game of the Tipoff at at the Mountain round-robin event Nov. 10.

The Eagles started quick and defended with passion for four quarters in the victory.

“Defensively, we showed alot of improvement fundamentally tonight even from last night,” said first-year coach Justin Moore.

Last night, the Eagles (3-0) held Cordova to only 12 points. Oak Mountain started quickly with solid post scoring from freshman Madison Pierce, who scored seven of her eight points in the first 16 minutes.

By halftime, the Eagles had shown it would be a tough night to score on them with a 26-9 lead.

Shelby County played Oak Mountain evenly after the half, as the Wildcats were only outscored by the Eagles by one point in the final 16 minutes. However, the damage was already done.

Shelby County (2-1) was led by Hallie Brown, who finished with eight points. Tempest Cantrell added four points.

Oak Mountain senior Maegan McDanal led the Eagles with 12 points and four rebounds, while freshman post player Jemaiya Lee finished with seven of her 11 points in the second half. Lee also led the Eagles with seven rebounds.

The early season tournament served its purpose for the Eagles, according to Moore,

“We played three games in three days and that is the toughest thing they are asked to do,” Moore said. “We played hard with no physical or mental fatigue.  To win three games and get a lot of work in was the best possible scenario.”