East Rankin girls earn road win

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

Winning at Hillcrest Christian isn’t an easy task but the East Rankin Lady Patriots earned a hard fought 49-40 road win over Hillcrest to avenge last year’s loss on the Lady Cougar’s home-court. Kaitlyn Coghlan had a game 23 points and Brooke Rhodes added 15 as East Rankin improved to 25-2 on the season. The table is now set for a huge AAA battle this Saturday as top ranked Presbyterian visits Pelahatchie to take on #2 ranked East Rankin.
Hillcrest found themselves down 11-4 following a Kaitlyn Coghlan 3-pointer from the wing at the 2:04 mark of the opening quarter but the Lady Cougars got a 12 foot jumper from Breanna Howard and a basket from Beverly Bailey to close out the quarter down 11-8.

(Above) Breanna Howard (#12) of Hillcrest defended by Brooke Rhodes (#23)
Rachel Knight’s baseline jumper from 12 feet pushed the East Rankin lead to 13-8 to open up the second quarter. The Lady Patriots extended their lead to 21-12 after Kaitlyn Coghlan hit a 3-pointer from the corner and then nailed a jumper from the elbow after a Hillcrest turnover at the 3:47 mark of the second quarter. East Rankin enjoyed their biggest lead of the half at 27-15 following two Brooke Rhodes free throws with 27 seconds remaining. Breanna Howard’s basket in the paint with 6 seconds left kept Hillcrest to within ten points at 27-17 as the half ended.
It didn’t take long for Hillcrest to cut into East Rankin’s halftime advantage as Karly Kliesch started the third quarter on fire. The senior nailed two 3-pointers from the top of the key in less than a minute and a half to pull the Lady Cougars to within four points at 27-23. Following a Kaitlyn Coghlan 17 footer that pushed East Rankin’s lead back to six at 29-23 Kliesch struck again. This time from the wing to narrow the margin to 29-26 with 4:54 left in the third quarter. Anna Posey made it a 29-28 game after converting an East Rankin turnover into a 10 foot jumper to complete a Hillcrest 11-2 run to start the second half. Hillcrest pulled even with East Rankin at 32-32 on a Beverly Bailey drive with 2:49 left in the quarter but Rachel Knight’s 6 footer with 9 seconds remaining gave the Lady Patriots a 34-32 lead heading into the final quarter. (Above) Beverly Bailey (#24) of Hillcrest works for an open shot
Bailey’s floater in the lane knotted the game up at 34-34 to start the fourth quarter but Kaitlyn Coghlan hit a 3-pointer and sank one of two free throws as East Rankin eased back out to a 38-34 lead at the 5:40 mark. Hillcrest fired right back with consecutive baskets from Breanna Howard and Jessica Griffin to tie the game at 38-38 but East Rankin would outscore Hillcrest 11-2 the final 2:38 to seal up a 49-40 road win. The Lady Patriots finished the final two minutes going 8/10 from the free throw line along with a Brooke Rhodes 3-pointer from the corner.
“Our play wasn’t real sharp tonight but this is a hard place to play, they beat us here last season,” said East Rankin head coach Michael McAnally. “We don’t match up well with them but I’m proud of our girls. Our zone defense was really good for us tonight.” (Above) East Rankin's Brianna May (#24) splits two Hillcrest defenders
Kaitlyn Coghlan led all scorers with 23 points, Brooke Rhodes added 15, Rachel Knight 5 and Kaila Knight, Bridget Byrd and Brianna May had 2 apiece.
For Hillcrest Breanna Howard finished with 12 points, Karly Kliesch added 10, Beverly Bailey had 9, Jessica Griffin 5 and Anna Posey 4.
Next up for East Rankin is Presbyterian on Saturday in Pelahatchie.
Hillcrest falls to 17-8 and will be at Jackson Prep on Saturday. ER...11...16...7...15...49
HC....8.....9...15...8...40
(Photo at top of page) Brooke Rhodes (#23) of East Rankin being defended by Jaden Goff (#14) of Hillcrest