By Michael Lindsay

Girls

The Stone Memorial Lady Panthers (16-3, 1-1) used the three-point line to get back in the win column Saturday afternoon as they defeated Smith County (13-8) in non-district action, 77-60.

Stone Memorial connected on 13 three-pointers in the win, including a program record 9 treys from senior guard Ashley Whittenburg en route to 29 points.

“Ashley’s proven over the last couple years that she can go get buckets,” said Stone Memorial head coach Mike Buck. “Now it’s a little easier for her because there’s a little more space around her, because of the other weapons on the floor. She’s super unselfish and knows the talent of the kids around her.”

Ella Jane May tacked on 18 points along with 17 points from freshman Lexi Clark.

“We definitely shot it well,” added Buck. “If you were open, the ball found you. The game is easier whenever the ball finds a good shooter in rhythm. We passed the ball, we shared it, we played with pace, and space, and so I was, you know, you’re gonna score a lot of points, you do that.”

KK Dixon led Smith County with 19 points followed by Catie Bella McCarter with 12.

Stone Memorial jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter as a Whittenburg three-pointer gave her team an 18-8 advantage with 3:15 remaining in the first period. The Lady Panthers poured in 27 points in the opening frame to lead 27-13.

Smith County settled in offensively in the second quarter and outscored the Lady Panthers 24-16 in the frame to cut their deficit to 7 points at halftime, 43-36.

After scoring 17 points in the first half, Whittenburg stayed hot in the third quarter as she hit four treys in the period to give Stone Memorial a 62-47 lead after three quarters. The Lady Panthers 7-9 from the free-throw line the fourth quarter to finish off the 77-60 victory.

Up next for Smith County is another non-district contest Tuesday as they’ll welcome White County (20-3, 2-1) to Carthage. Stone Memorial returns to District 7-3A play on Tuesday as they travel to Class 3A #1-ranked Upperman (17-3, 3-0).

“The highest ranking is one,” said Buck. “They’re the best team in Tennessee, but I feel like we’re a good team as well. We’ll have our hands full; they have shooters all over the place, they handle it, they compete, they defend and pass it well. You do everything right.”

Boys

Stone Memorial (11-6, 2-0) picked up their fifth consecutive victory on Saturday as they defeated Smith County (13-8, 2-0) by a 59-49 margin.

“We gave up 22 in the 1st half, which is pretty good defense, but we give up 20 in the third quarter,” said Stone Memorial head coach Jess Raby. “We didn’t guard the ball very well and they were able to get some penetration. We didn’t rebound very well, but still came out with a 10 point victory over a solid team. That was good. I was really happy about that. I thought that Hunter Haney played a played a really solid game down the stretch and made some plays.”

Evin Moseley led a balanced scoring effort for the Panthers with 14 points along with 13 by Jack Cordell, 10 from Haney and 9 by Charlie VanWinkle. Cooper Jones led Smith County with 20 point followed by 13 from Tyler Jones.

Stone Memorial held a 19-12 lead after one quarter and extended their lead to double digits (26-16) via a VanWinkle three-pointer with 4:31 remaining in the second quarter. The Panthers took a 33-22 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Stone Memorial extended their lead to 18 points (45-27) via a Moseley three-pointer with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter, but Smith County rallied from there as they reeled off 15-4 to end the third quarter, cutting their deficit to 49-42 entering the fourth quarter.

“We’ve got to we got to learn from that,” said Raby. “We got to we got to control our emotions. We got up 18 in the 3rd quarter, then just let negative things affect us too much.”

A layup from Cordell and three by Haney to open the fourth quarter extended Stone’s lead back out to 12 points (54-42) with 6 minutes remaining. The Owls would get no closer than 8 points in the fourth quarter as Stone Memorial closed out to win by a 59-49 final score.

Up next for Smith County is a home game against White County on Tuesday while Stone Memorial returns to District 7-3A action against defending Class 3A state champion Upperman.

“We need to be focused completely on Upperman,” said Raby. “Right now we’re focused on trying to get the 3-0 in district play against one of the best teams that we’ll see all year. They’re well coached, their defense is unique and they can force turnovers. They’re very selfless; Ty Cobb could score 40 per game if he wanted to, but he’s very selfless. But then at the same time, the teammates know also that what he can do and that’s the perfect combination.”