Straughn’s Lady Tigers put up 52 points over Luverne Monday night to seal a first-round 52-25 victory in their annual Thanksgiving tournament at SHS.

SHS and LHS didn’t have much in the points department in the first period. Luverne scored six compared to Straughn’s five.

“We didn’t play our best,” SHS girls coach Scott Kinsaul said. “I told them we didn’t play very well, and we still put up 52 points. We kept them to 25, so we’ve got a lot of room to improve on.”

However, Straughn’s Jacie Williamson, who led her team with 14 points, shot up a quick 3-pointer to give her team an early 8-6 lead.

Katelyn Kinsaul followed with a quick steal and a lay up, and then a pass to Janelle Nurse to help SHS go on a 4-0 run to lead 12-6.

The run was extended when Paige Taylor hit a jumper a short time later.

SHS lead 20-12 at half time, and outscored Luverne 32-13.

Williamson scored 11 of her 14 points in the second half, and was 3-of-4 from the free-throw line.

What made the difference in the second half was Straughn’s offensive set, Kinsaul said.

“I think our 1-3-1 zone really bothered them,” he said. “We finally made some shots that we were missing in the first half.”

Brittany Driver had 11 points, and Paige Taylor also had a good night for SHS with 10 points.

Straughn advances to play Houston Academy at 7:30 tonight.

In earlier action, Houston Academy beat Red Level 56-35. RLS will face Luverne at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon.

 

Opp 65, Greenville 36

Opp’s Nisha Stoudemire led the Lady Bobcats with 16 points in the win over Greenville.

OHS girls basketball coach Allison Gregory said despite the win, the defense still needs work.

“I’m still not happy with our defense,” Gregory said.

The Lady Bobcats took advantage with their 2-3 zone defense, forcing turnovers and scoring points on transition that the Lady Tigers didn’t know what hit them.

“Right now, our transition is carrying us,” Gregory said. “I think that’s what we’re living and dying by. I think my girls are doing a fantastic job of pushing up and down the floor.”

Opp led 33-20 at half time, and then went on to outscore Greenville 17-6 in the third period, and 15-11 in the fourth.