By Chris Siers
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
UNIONVILLE — Against backyard rival Eagleville, Community made several runs at the Lady Eagles’ lead, but just couldn’t get over the hump in the 49-39 loss.
“Early in the game, we missed a lot of easy layups and a lot of great looks. Instead of having a good lead right off the bat, we were kind of fighting back and forth. We had to fight too much in the second half and could never get the lead,” Viqueen coach Cody Pierce said.
The two teams never gained a strong footing over the other in the first quarter, but Community couldn’t get shots to fall, despite having good looks.
Still, the Lady Eagles led 10-9 after the first quarter.
Both offenses picked up a bit of steam in the second quarter, notably with Anna Haskins catching fire for the Purple and Gold.
She scored 12 of the Viqueens’ 14 second-quarter points, including a pair of triples, but the only other basket came from Sarah Melson.
While Community is still looking for more consistency throughout the lineup on the offensive end of the court, Pierce is pleased the offense continues to grow and believes the bigger point totals are coming.
“It’s been a little bit of a struggle, but the offense is starting to flow a little bit better and we’re starting to get others involved. Others are hitting shots and attacking the basket. It’s getting there,” he said.
But while the Viqueens had Haskins heat up in the second period, the Lady Eagles did as well.
Shelbie Mooneyham piled on six of the Lady Eagles’ 20 points in the quarter.
Even into the second half, Community repeatedly cut the Eagleville lead to three possessions, but just couldn’t generate enough offense after getting defensive stops.
Haskins led all scorers with 19 points, including three triples, while Eliza McClaren paced Eagleville with 16 points.
Community isn’t participating in a Christmas tournament this year, but has just one more game this week, on Thursday at Huntland and one game next week, on Friday at Moore County.
The extended break, Pierce hopes will be good to rejuvenate the Viqueens before the district slate begins in January.
“It will be nice to get our legs back under us and get back to work in January,” he said.
Eagleville 10 20 11 8 — 49
Community 9 14 10 6 — 39
Eagleville: Eliza McClaren 16, Isabella Sawyer 11, Brinli Bain 9, Shelbie Mooneyham 9, Jules Weese 2, Meah Thompson 2.
Community: Anna Haskins 19, Jayla Mangrum 9, Alyssa White 4, Taylar Wessner 3, Sarah Melson 2, Kathryn Sego 2.
3-Point goals: Eagleville (5): Haskins 3, Mangrum, Wessner; Eagleville (1): Bain.
Halftime score: Eagleville 30, Community 23.