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Wes McCard

Sports Editor

Saturday night was action packed at the ULHS gymnasium. In the opener, the Lady Knights took on the Lady Trojans from Lamar County, looking for a little revenge after falling to Lamar County in their Christmas Tournament by a 52-36 score.

The Lady Knights jumped out to an early 10-2 lead midway through the first quarter, beating Lamar County in every aspect of the game. Upson-Lee’s Keondra Ausbrooks dominated the paint in the first quarter, scoring six of her eight points. The Lady Knights seemed to be in line for a rout of the Lady Trojans, but Lamar County would not go away. It took two clutch free throws from UL’s Jasmine Davis with less than 7 seconds in the game and a missed three pointer from the Lady Trojans for the Lady Knights to hold on for a 37-35 victory.

“I think we kind of took them by surprise early on,” said Lady Knights head coach Bart Phillips. “We were really running our fast break well and rebounding the ball well. They are a well coached team, and I knew that we were going to be in a battle. I’m proud of the way our girls fought late and held on for the victory. We need to continue to learn how to win.”

While the Lady Knights lead the Lady Trojans 10-2 early in the first quarter, Lamar County ended the period with a 7-3 run to close the game up to 13-9. Both teams struggled offensively in the second and third quarters. Upson-Lee scored just 10 points in the second and third quarters, while the Lamar hit for 14 points, leaving the game tied 23-23 after three quarters of play.

In the final period, the score went back and forth, with the two teams tied with just over a minute left in the game. A floater in the lane from Lamar County’s Aja Johnson gave the Lady Trojans a 35-33 lead. Johnson led the Lady Trojans with 20 points in the contest.

With the Lady Knights battling the clock along with the Lady Trojans, Upson-Lee’s Kiashona Carter got an offensive rebound for a put back, tying the game at 35-35. The ULHS defense stepped up on the next possession for Lamar County, getting a steal, with Phillips calling a timeout. The Lady Knights got the ball to senior Jasmine Davis, who was fouled with under seven seconds remaining in the game. Davis made the two free throws to give the Lady Knights a 37-35 lead. Lamar County gave Upson-Lee a scare at the buzzer, as Johnson heaved a three-pointer near mid court. But the shot rimmed out, giving the Lady Knights the win..

The victory improved the Lady Knights record to 3-9 on the season, and dropped the Lady Trojans record to 4-5.

Carter paced the Lady Knights with 12 points, including six points in the fourth quarter. KeOndra Ausbrooks added eight points, Jasmine Davis netted seven points along with seven points from senior point guard Demeshia Russell. Kenya Harris scored two points, while Ekorea Gray chipped in with one point and seven rebounds.

On Friday night, the Lady Knights traveled to College Park to take on the Lady Eagles from North Clayton High School in a sub-region affair.

As was the case for the Lady Knights on Saturday night, Upson-Lee again jumped out to an early lead on North Clayton on Friday night. Upson-Lee led the Lady Eagles 12-5 after the first quarter, but failed to outscore North Clayton in any other quarter.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter with just eight seconds remaining and the score tied 41-41, Jasmine Davis attempted a deep three pointer with time running out. Unfortunately, the shot hit off the front of the rim. The Lady Eagles edged Upson-Lee 10-8 in overtime, and won the tough contest 51-49.

The game was ultimately lost for the Lady Knights at the free throw line, where they shot an embarrassing 18 percent (6/33).

Senior Jasmine Davis tied a Lady Knights’ season high with 21 points, including draining (3) three pointers. KeOndra Ausbrooks added 13 points, Kiashona Carter netted eight points, Kenya Harris scored six points, while Ekorea Gray chipped in with one point.

The Lady Knights were in action once again at the ULHS gymnasium Tuesday night, taking on sub-region foe Griffin. The Lady Knights lost the Lady Bears two weeks ago by a score of 43-39 after leading by 11 points in the fourth quarter.