Isabella girls get back on track

Published 10:02 pm Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The Hale County Lady Wildcats were tamed by the Lady Mustangs of Isabella on Tuesday.  After a disappointing county tournament, the Lady Mustangs came out with determination. The game started with Isabella’s Sherrell Wilson making one of two on a technical foul for delay of game on Hale County. Johnson scored on a three from the corner early in the first to quiet a small but rowdy Hale County crowd.

Hale County started using full court pressure early in the second period, but the Lady Mustangs appeared to be ready for it and overcame it to take a 1-point lead to the locker room at the half, 19 to 18.

After the break, Amber Wyatt, not having a great night for her, had four of Isabella’s six points in the third and took control of the paint on both ends. Isabella took over and dominated the rest of the game, finishing with a 36 to 28 victory.

Wyatt led all scorers with 14 points, and Wilson scored nine in what was her best game of the season. Cheryl Brown and Kenyanita Ellis both led Hale County with seven points.

Hale Co. boys 42, Isabella 34

Isabella started the night with a big lineup against Hale County, and it seemed to rattle them for the first period.  With Brian Donovan leading the way, the Mustangs took a shakey 2-point lead into the second period.  Isabella took the ball into the paint early and often throughout the first half and caused the Hale County big men to ride the pine due to foul problems.

The Mustangs, however, didn’t capitalize on it, missing nine of 16 from the stripe.  Hale County led at the half by two at 24 to 22.

Early in the third, Isabella dominated Hale County all over the court and held a solid 5-point lead going into the final stanza at 32 to 27.  With Donovan scoring 19 points so far, it seemed the Mustangs would have a hard fought and deserved win. 

Nobody told the Wildcats, though.  Behind the shooting and defense of Hale County’s Raymond Gee, the Wildcats mounted a fourth quarter to be proud of and won.

Donovan led all scorers with 19 points and pulled down 16 boards in the loss. Gee led Hale County with 17.