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  • Shady Spring’s Kaylee Dickenson, center, pulls down a rebound as Liberty’s, from left, Stacy Williams, Katie McGinnis, Jasmine Law and Katana Bryant defend during their game Wednesday in Shady Spring. F. Brian Ferguson

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November 30, 2012

Shady routs county rival Liberty

By Dan Stillwell Register-Herald Sports Writer

Shady Spring could hardly have played worse in the first half against Liberty Thursday night.

The Tigers, coming off a season-opening 65-38 loss two days earlier at Class AAA state champion Greenbrier East, did little right: They missed lay-ups, clanged foul shots and didn’t box out on defense en route to trailing the Raiders 9-8 at intermission.  

“I think we had a bit of a hangover from the East loss,” coach Brandon Bennett said. “We came out maybe thinking about that game a little too much. But once we concentrated, we played much better.”

Bennett’s halftime talk did wonders for the Tigers’ concentration. They outscored Liberty 20-0 in the third quarter, and went on to win 40-20.

“Our coach gave us a little pep talk and got our butts into gear,” said senior center Kaylee Dickenson, who dominated the game with 19 points, nine rebounds and four steals.

Liberty (0-2) led 6-2 after one quarter. The Raiders moved the ball well, but the shots weren’t falling for them either.

They were also coming off a season-opening loss, 77-23 Tuesday against visiting Wyoming East.

“We showed improvement since that game. We were running plays,” coach Julie Firebaugh said. “But in the third quarter, our point guard (freshman Jasmine Law) was in foul trouble and on the bench.”

Dickenson hit two baskets and a foul shot to open the second half, and Shady would not be threatened again.

Most of Dickenson’s points came on lay-ups from the fast break, or on turn-around jumpers from 8-10 feet out. Liberty center Stacy Williams rejected several of her shots from inside.

“I’m playing way more aggressive, and taking more shots this year,” she said. “But going straight up is something I definitely need to work on.”

Dickenson had scored 11 points Tuesday against East.

“Last season, Kaylee came off our bench. She worked really hard in the offseason and came back in unbelievable shape,” Bennett said. “Tonight she played really tough.”

Brooklyn Meador scored nine points, while Morgan Hylton hit two 3s and contributed eight points for the Tigers.

“The first half, we couldn’t throw it in the ocean,” Bennett said. “Brooklyn came up with a couple of jumpers from outside, and Morgan finally got it going a little bit. She was 5 for 13 in 3s at East.

“She struggled tonight, but she’ll get into the groove.”

Guard Katana Bryant led Liberty with nine points and five rebounds.

Williams had an off night with five points to go with five steals. Katie McGinnis added six rebounds.

“We didn’t run one play in the third quarter,” Firebaugh said. “When something goes wrong, they panic. We need to calm down and play our game.”

Shady will host PikeView Monday, while Liberty returns to action Wednesday at home against Fayetteville.

— E-mail: dstillwell@register-herald.com



Shady Spring 40, Liberty 20

Liberty (0-2)

Shayla Stephens 1 0-0 2, Katana Bryant 4 1-3 9, Katie McGinnis 2 0-0 4, Jasmine Law 0 0-0 0, Stacy Williams 2 1-5 5, Angel Treadway 0 0-0 0, Savannah Daniels 0 0-0 0, Christina Brown 0 0-0 0, Allyson Herron 0 0-0 0, Kayla Christian 0 0-0 0, Jamie Wood 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 2-9 20.

Shady Spring (1-1)

Morgan Hylton 3 0-0 8, Brooklyn Meador 4 1-1 9, Kelsea Collins 1 1-4, Kaylee Dickenson 7 5-7 19, McKenzie Severt 0 0-0 0, Rebecca Rhudy 0 0-0 0, Emily Rainey 0 0-0 0, Heather Ratcliff 0 0-0 0, Kayla Chitwood 0 0-0 0, Marlena Adkin 0 1-2 1. Totals: 15 8-14 40.

L    6    3    0    11    —    20

SS    2    6    20    12    —    40

Three-point goals — L: none; SS: 2 (Hylton 2). Fouled out — L: Law.

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