Post Photo by Gary Johnson Shelbyville Central’s Lanaya Young scored 22 points in the Golden Eaglettes win over Giles County on Thursday night.
By Gary Johnson
Sports Writer
SHELBYVILLE — A stifling defense applied by the Golden Eaglettes the entire game proved to be the difference as Shelbyville Central rolled past visiting Giles County this past Thursday evening in the season home opener.
Using both full-court and half-court pressure, the Golden Eaglettes (4-2) only allowed 14 points in the first half, posting leads of 16-5 after the opening period and 35-14 at the intermission.
Shelbyville Central continued to take advantage of Lady Bobcat turnovers by scoring a number of easy baskets in transition throughout the second half.
The Golden Eaglettes held a 47-30 advantage going into the fourth quarter.
“We executed well and got some easy baskets and that obviously helped,” Shelbyville Central Coach Kyle Turnham said. “We shot the ball much better as well.”
Senior Paige Blackburn led the winners with a game-high 26 points, including four 3-pointers. Lanaya Young contributed 22 followed by Lilly Brown with 13.
Caydee Pipkins paced the Lady Bobcats with 14 points.
“We still have some work to do defensively in terms of execution,” Turnham said.
Giles County 5 9 15 12 — 41
Shelbyville Central 16 19 12 18 — 65
Giles Co.: Karson Brown 8, Caydee Pipkins 14, Serenity Neal 2, Ashlan Coleman 4, Kinsley Morris 4, Kiya Gibson 9.
Shelbyville Central: Paige Blackburn 26, Lilly Brown 13, Sammie Brown 2, Lanaya Young 22, Morgan Pridmlore 2.
3-point goals Shelbyville Central (4): Blackburn 4; Giles County: (4) Pipkins 2, Brown, Colman.
Halftime score: Shelbyville Central 35, Giles Co. 14.
