Viqueens can't keep up with No. 4 Forrest

CHAPEL HILL -- The Community Viqueens got out to a quick start against District 9-A foe Forrest but were unable to maintain the pace in a 59-39 loss on Thursday evening.

Megan Busbee went to work from her post position for the Viqueens (13-10, 5-7 9-A) with six points and freshman Katie Leverette netted a 3-pointer but it wasn't enough to overcome six points by Beth Hawn and a five-point effort from Christina Curtner, who led the fourth-ranked Lady Rockets to a 18-13 advantage going to the second period.

"We came out and played very well early on," Community coach Allison Layne said. "We were aggressive to the ball and we hit some shots to keep us close.

"Then all of a sudden we couldn't buy a basket and that is not a good situation against a good team like this one. The next thing we know we are in a hole that we simply couldn't fight our way out of this time."

Lady Rocket Anna Curtner poured in six points, all from behind the arc, and senior Beth Hawn continues to stake her claim as the premier Class A player in the state as she took over the boards, shut down the paint defensively and netted six points to help the Blue and White to a 34-19 cushion at halftime.

Hawn pulled down six rebounds and blocked two shots in the frame.

Busbee shook loose for four points in the third quarter and the Viqueens' Leverette, Aubrey Boyce and Georgia Ralston added a bucket apiece, but the Lady Rockets answered with five points by Christina Curtner and four by Hawn to take a 47-29 lead at the horn.

"I am concerned that we opened the game playing with a lot of confidence and then closed it by showing very little in ourselves," Layne said. "We have another big district game on Friday and the girls are going to have to snap out of that frame of mind pretty quick. They are a resilient bunch so I feel that they can put this game behind us and be ready to play."

Hawn earned game-high scoring honors with 18 points in only three quarters of play. She was followed by Anna Curtner with 15 and Christina Curtner with 14.

Busbee led the Community effort with 14.

Community plays host to Moore County tonight at 6.