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The Avery Lady Vikings were impressive last Tuesday night in a 74-31 blowout victory over the Hendersonville Lady Bearcats at Viking Gym. However, Avery found a difficult foe in the Polk County Wolverines on Friday night in Columbus, falling 62-55 in a physical confrontation.In Tuesday’s contest, Avery scored the first six points of the game and led by five at 10-5 after one period. The team's transition game found its groove in the second quarter as the guard tandem of Allison Vance and Samantha Shook combined for ten points in the quarter. Katie Ellis came off the bench and scored nine first half points to help Avery to a 31-18 lead going into intermission.
A 21-4 scoring run over the course of the third quarter put the contest out of reach as Avery's quick hands wreaked havoc on the helpless Bearcats. The Big Red rode the strength of seven players scoring in the quarter to amass a 52-22 lead after three periods and cruised to the easy 74-31 win.
Ellis paced the Lady Vikings with a double-double, scoring 17 points and hauling down 11 rebounds in addition to four blocks. Vance scored 14 points with eight helpers and five steals. Eudy rounded out the double-figure scorers with ten points and five steals. Megan Tennant and Samantha Shook each scored nine points in the triumph.
On Friday night Avery took on a formidable opponent at Polk County. The first quarter’s physical action was a harbinger of exactly how tough and rugged the evening’s Western Highlands Conference encounter would be. Avery players found themselves in early foul trouble as the first quarter ensued. Senior Katie Ellis picked up a pair of early fouls which limited her playing time and production as she registered no first quarter points and only four for the entire half.
A number of Vikings helped keep the Vikings close in the first half. Sara Wiseman came off the bench with a pair of first quarter baskets as Avery trailed only by a pair at 12-10 after the first eight minutes of play.
Avery found trouble dealing with the Polk County trio of Kiki Miller, Kaitlin Franks, and Denise Edwards. Miller and Franks each scored seven first-half points while Edwards scored eight to lead Polk to a 29-25 halftime advantage. Avery countered with seven points by Samantha Shook in a half that was marked by a high number of turnovers from both clubs.
The Lady Vikings exited the locker room with renewed focus. Vikings guard Lauren Avery came alive offensively with four baskets and eight total points. Sophomore forward Katelynn Eudy helped shoulder the Avery scoring burden as well, netting nine of her total of 14 points in the period to help the Big Red overtake Polk on the scoreboard by the score of 46-42 at the end of the third quarter.
Kiki Miller continued to provide scoring punch from the post for the Lady Wolverines with nine points in the quarter. The senior was productive in the paint, drawing a number of fouls throughout the game. Miller took 16 free throws in the contest, one less than that of the entire Lady Vikings team. A total of 13 of Miller’s game-high 25 points came from the free throw line, including 8 of 9 in the second half.
In the final eight minutes of play, Polk County’s defense stifled the Lady Vikings, while the Lady Wolverines continued to find success inside offensively. Polk earned second and third chances at the basket through offensive rebounds and its aggressiveness inside. That aggression eventually translated into further foul difficulties for Avery.
Avery turned the basketball over 27 times in the game and was only 6 of 17 as a team from the free throw line, giving the Wolverines a number of extra possessions which they took advantage of. Polk scored the first four points of the quarter to tie the game at 46-46.
The teams traded baskets in the middle portion of the final quarter, but the momentum swung as Shook first fouled out, then Ellis fouled out a brief time later with just over two minutes remaining and the Wolverines leading 52-51. The Lady Wolverines ended the game with a 10-4 spurt to close out the upset.
Katelynn Eudy led the Vikings on the scoreboard with 14 points. Lauren Avery, Allison Vance, and Katie Ellis each scored eight points. Kiki Miller registered a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Kaitlin Franks added 14, while Denise Edwards scored 12 points with nine rebounds.
Avery finishes the week with an 8-5 record overall and a 2-1 mark in Western Highlands Conference play. The Lady Vikings host Madison on Tuesday and travel to Mountain Heritage this Friday night.
