Strong cruises past PC 38-20

By Tony Burns

Sports Editor

STRONG - Sophomore Dynasty Davis poured in 28 points Tuesday to lead Strong to a 38-20 victory over Parkers Chapel in the Lady Bulldogs’ season opener.

The Lady Trojans, who were held scoreless in the third quarter, fell to 0-2 on the season.

Parkers Chapel led 15-14 late in the second quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs would score the next 18 points to build a 32-15 lead with 6:27 left in the fourth.

Davis, who hit four 3-pointers in the game, scored 12 points in the decisive run.

Strong, which dressed out just six players, connected on 3-of-18 at the free throw line. Parkers Chapel did not attempt a free throw in the game.

“I was worried about the conditioning. Once we settled down after the first half and started running our halfcourt sets, that let us catch our breath a little bit,” said Strong coach Jason Porter. “Luckily, the free throws didn’t hurt us tonight. Going 3-for-18, with the shooters we have, that can’t happen.

“That gives us something to work on over Thanksgiving - conditioning and free throws. You can fix that. I can’t fix if we can’t score. Other than that, especially to beat Parkers Chapel the first game of the year, I’m very pleased.”

Strong dominated the glass, out-jumping the Lady Trojans in the paint and out-running them to loose balls.

Amaya Smith led the Lady Bulldogs with 17 rebounds to go with her five points. Kiki Shelton had eight boards.

Offensively, Davis did damage from beyond the arc and on drives to the basket.

“She’s a scorer and the team knows she’s the main scorer,” said Porter. “We tell her, keep scoring. Keep going. She settled down that second half and did what she had to do.”

Davis hit a 3-pointer midway in the second to give Strong a 14-11 lead before Terri Malone answered with back-to-back buckets for the Lady Trojans, who led 15-14 with 2:58 left in the second.

From that point, Parkers Chapel would go more than 12 minutes without scoring.

Hannah Barbaree’s short jumper with 6:14 left in the fourth finally ended the drought.

But, Smith hit a free throw and Davis drained her fourth 3-pointer for the Lady Bulldogs, who went up 36-17 with 5:04 left to play.

Malone led Parkers Chapel with seven points, 13 rebounds and four steals.

T.K. Burson also scored seven points for the Lady Trojans.

Strong travels to Emerson on Friday in a rematch of last year’s regional tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs beat the Lady Pirates at the buzzer to advance to the state tournament.

“They’re probably going to be hungry,” said Porter.

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