Lady Wildcats claw Yellow Jackets, 66-29

Published 12:10 am Friday, November 30, 2012

Vincent's Taj Youngblood passes in the ball in the Lady Yellow Jackets' 66-29 defeat to the Shelby County Lady Wildcats on Nov. 29. (Reporter photo/Graham Carr)

By GRAHAM CARR / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The Shelby County Lady Wildcats earned their first victory of the season over the Vincent Lady Yellow Jackets, 66-29 at Shelby County on Nov. 29.

“After a couple of tough games, it was nice to get a victory,” Wildcats coach Ashley Phillips said. “We still have a ways to go, but the first win is always the toughest to get.”

Vincent guards were constantly under duress from the Wildcats’ full-court press which led to 25 Yellow Jackets’ turnovers in the first half and 40 total turnovers for the entire game.

“I thought our press was pretty effective,” Phillips said.

The Wildcats jumped to a comfortable 27-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, led by Hallie Brown’s 13 points in the period.

Vincent guard Brooklyn Jones scored eight points in the second quarter to give the Yellow Jackets’ offense a spark.   Shelby County still led 39-14 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Vincent held its own against Shelby County, alternating buckets with the Wildcats while forcing seven turnovers.  The Yellow Jackets’ were only outscored 15-14 in the quarter.

In the final quarter, the Wildcats controlled the clock on offense and let their full-court press slow down the Vincent attack.  Shelby County only scored nine points in the quarter, but held Vincent to just a point.

Brown led Shelby County in scoring with 20 points and eight steals.

Jones had a solid night for Vincent hitting four 3-pointers and finishing with 20 points.