Viqueens, Vikes fall in World openers

CHAPEL HILL -- Community Junior High took on Middle Tennessee Christian for the second time in less than a month with dramatically different results this time as the Purple and Gold fell 39-23 Monday night in the opener of the World Tournament at Forrest High.

Junior Viqueen defenders Jessica Lynch (12) and Georgia Ralston surround Lady Cougar Brooke Miller after a rebound. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge]

When these teams met in Unionville the game wasn't decided until the final seconds in overtime after numerous lead changes and momentum shifts.

The Lady Cougars (5-3) jumped out to a 7-1 advantage after one period Monday and never looked back.

Community (4-4) had a lone tally by Kelsie Smith on a free throw at the 2:08 mark.

"We are in a total team slump," Viqueen coach Kevin Hinson said. "I have coached for a good while now and I have had teams where one or two players go through bad times together, but never a whole team at the same time.

"We can attribute some of it to youth, but some of it I have no explanation for. We just have to keep working hard."

MTC put eight players in the scoring column with Madison Hall inflicting the most damage with 11 points. She hit on 5-of-6 free throws.

The Lady Cougars led 17-5 at the half behind an extremely tough, pressuring defense that caused several Viqueen turnovers.

Things didn't get better for the Bedford County kids as they trailed 26-13 going into the final frame. They missed numerous scoring opportunities from in close as the ball just would not fall for them.

Community was led in scoring by Smith with seven points. Brittany Leverette and Joanna Bennett pitched in six apiece.

"It is probably just as well that we have the rest of the week off," Hinson said. "It will give us time to get back into the gym and regain some confidence. We have the makings of a good team. We just need to all believe that we can compete at this level. I have faith in these kids and I know that we will get this turned around."

The Viqueens travel to Murfreesboro to take on the Lady Cougars on Monday at 6:30.

Middle Tennessee Christian 43, Community 23 (B): Clay Carver, Thomas Park and Chris Beasley combined for 32 points to lead the Cougars.

Community's offensive woes continued as they managed only three points in the first quarter while allowing 11.

"We continue to have trouble putting points on the board," Viking coach Mike Edmondson said. "We go through our progressions pretty well, but we just can't seem to find the bottom of the net with any consistency.

"We miss Sammy (Bryant) under the boards and he should be back for our next game and his presence should open up the floor some for the other guys. We will just keep working hard."

Trailing 17-5 beginning the third, Community (2-6) had their best scoring quarter of the game with eight points as Luke Haynes put four on the board, but still found themselves outscored and trailed 26-13 going into the final period.

McCarver led all players with 12 points. Park had 11 and Beasley contributed nine for the Cougars.

Haynes led Community with four. Hunter Tharp matched that total and added four steals.

"I think that we played hard tonight," Edmondson said. "We just have to find a way to get more points on the board. We have guys who are capable. We just have to get them to realize their potential in a pretty big hurry."