Avery continued to roll through conference foes last week in a pair of lopsided wins, routing Hendersonville 72-47 on the road last Tuesday and blowing out Polk County 62-37 at home last Thursday evening.In Tuesday’s contest, Avery had early difficulties getting its offense untracked, but found its shot late in the opening half. Avery then pulled away in the second half to outdistance the Lady Bearcats.
Avery was careful with the basketball, committing only two turnovers in the first half. Nevertheless, Hendersonville was economical with its shooting in keeping the game close through the first quarter. Avery made only five of its first 20 shots in the first half, allowing the Lady Bearcats to remain within a pair at 11-9 after one quarter.
The second stanza was a different story as the Lady Vikings gained control. Avery used a 5-0 scoring run to open the quarter, eight first half points from Sara Wiseman, and a separate 6-0 scoring spurt late in the quarter to take a 36-17 halftime lead. The advantage could have been much greater had Avery shot better than its 3 for 15 effort from the free throw line in the half.
Avery extended its advantage to 24 points at 54-30 after three periods and cruised to the 25-point win.
Sara Wiseman led Avery scorers with 13 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Lauren Avery scored 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Katelynn Eudy registered another double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds, in addition to four steals.
Hendersonville’s Brooks Walz was one of only five Lady Bearcats to score in the game, but led all scorers with a game-high 22 points.
Last Thursday night the Lady Vikings hosted the Polk Lady Wolverines. The contest was the final regular season matchup between Avery head coach Missy Lyons and Polk head coach Mitch Davis, as Davis announced he is leaving the school after the semester to enroll in seminary toward a missionary career.
Avery opened up the game white hot from the field, hitting 9 of its 19 shots in the frame. Mercedes Bentley netted seven points in the quarter, while Elyse Perry added six points.
The Lady Vikings took care of the ball by committing no turnovers in the opening stanza for the second consecutive game, while the Avery defense forced seven Polk turnovers in the quarter. Polk made just three shots in the period and the Big Red led by a 24-6 score after eight minutes.
As the second quarter unfolded, Avery continued its barrage on the Lady Wolverines. Lauren Avery scored six of her nine first-half points in the period to help stretch the Viking lead to 38-14 at halftime.
Through two quarters the Lady Vikings already had statistics indicative of a full game. Elyse Perry scored six points and hit her game average of five assists in the first half alone. Avery added six rebounds, three assists, and three steals to her first half point total. Polk’s Melinda Morgan netted 10 of the team’s 14 first-half points.In the third quarter the Lady Vikings were bolstered by nine additional points from Lauren Avery as the Big Red extended its lead to 51-22. Mercedes Bentley added seven second-half points and ten Lady Vikings in all scored as Avery picked up its eighth conference win and 16th win overall against two losses.
Lauren Avery ended the night with 18 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists, with a season-high 14 points from Mercedes Bentley.
For the senior Avery, she has steadily rose her scoring and rebounding averages through the course of the season, and credits her success both in Thursday’s win and throughout the season to her teammates.
“I owe it to the team. I thought we played great team ball,” Avery said after Thursday’s win. I think this team is very united and we’re unselfish as a team.”
Teammate Perry ranks among the region’s leaders in assists with over five per game and nabs four steals per contest.
“Our team is so good at getting open and we read each other so well. Honestly if I can pass the ball off and not shoot it, I’d rather do that,” Perry remarked after her eight point, seven assist performance Thursday. “Each time we go out Coach tells us to let our defense create our offense, and I really think that has been a turning point. We play tight defense and we talk to each other when we see screens and help each other out which has been a huge part of our success.”
Avery has three road games over three nights this week. The Lady Vikings traveled to Madison on their Senior Night and decimated the Lady Patriots by a 71-48 final score behind 18 points (16 in the second quarter alone) from junior guard Mercedes Bentley. Avery travels to Owen on Wednesday, then to Mountain Heritage on Thursday.
Editor’s Note: Avery High School is asking for the help of all fans and students to PAINT IT BLACK or RED in Viking Gym during Avery's regular season home finale on Tuesday, February 9th vs. Mitchell by wearing BLACK or RED t-shirts! Young Adults Helping Haiti (YAHH) & UIC raised $320 to assist the country of Haiti with earthquake relief at Thursday night's home contest against Polk. The groups plan on holding a second fund raising effort for Haiti during Avery's Senior Night contest in Big Red Country against Mitchell on Tuesday, February 9th.
