Leake takes road win over Lamar
Southern Sports & Travel
For a quarter and a half last night Lamar had done what most have not this season against second ranked Leake, keep within striking distance of the Class AA defending state champions. Unfortunately for the Lady Raiders they would succumb to the defensive pressure and up-tempo brand of basketball that Leake is known for in falling 58-28 in Meridian.
Junior guard Anna Nowell scored 16 points and Leake produced a 22-5 second quarter run en-route to improving their overall mark to 17-2 on the season.
(Above) Anna Nowell (#21) of Leake launches a jumper from 15 feet
Lamar used a deliberate and patient strategy early on as the Lady Raiders kept pace with Leake. Olivia Mabry’s fast break lay-in at the 4:49 mark knotted the contest at 5-5 but Leake demonstrated how explosive they could be as Hannah Moore had a put back off an offensive rebound, Mary Grace Key converted on a fast break basket and Anna Nowell drained a jumper from 15 feet to give the Rebelettes a 11-5 advantage with 3:22 remaining in the opening quarter.
Leake later stretched their lead to 17-7 on a Hannah Moore baseline jumper from 17 feet but Lamar finished the quarter with a Natalie Williams free throw and an Olivia Mabry driving basket to keep the Lady Raiders close at 17-10.
Two Mabry free throws cut the deficit to 17-12 to start the second quarter but that would be as close as Lamar would get as Leake outscored Lamar 20-5 the remaining 5:38 to give the Rebelettes a 39-17 cushion at the halfway point of the game.
(Above) Anna Nowell (#21) of Leake with a lay-in in the second quarter
Leake started the third quarter just as they closed the second, on a run. Anna Nowell got a quick lay-in to start the quarter and got another fast break bucket with an assist from Hannah Peoples to give Leake their largest lead at 43-19 with just over six minutes remaining in the quarter. Leake dominated the quarter outscoring Lamar 17-2 to take a 56-19 lead into the final period en-route to the 58-28 win.
Anna Nowell led Leake with 16 points, Hannah Moore added 10, Hannah Peoples, Chloe Thaggard and Mary Grace Key each had 8, Khristen Evans 4 and Katie Webb 2.
Natalie Williams led Lamar (9-9) with 11 points, Olivia Mabry added 9, Lallie Bennet 3, Jamesia Kenny and Allison Justus 2 each and Madison Lee with 1.
Next up for Leake will be Copiah on Friday in Madden while Lamar will travel to Sylva Bay on Thursday.
