Eagles soar over, under and around Greyhounds

The Etowah Lady Eagles were athletic, big, and could fly as high as the sky. The Jones County Lady Greyhounds were simply outmatched and under the radar of the Lady Eagles falling to a 47-41 loss in the 4-A semifinals at the Gwinnett Arena.

Jones County’s sophomore sensation, Chimere Jordan, did the best she could to try and get her team a victory knocking down a game high 18 points, but it just wasn’t enough to overcome the giants of the midway from Woodstock.

Although the Lady Eagles were big, their little 5’-9 shooting guard, Tagan Hatchett, was the one that blistered the Lady Greyhounds for 17 points.

Etowah dominated on defense out rebounding Jones 21-11 with senior center Nicole Frichette pulling down 11 to go along with her six blocked shots on the night.

Frichette put up the first points of the game getting a bounce pass down low from Lisa Gaunder llaying the ball off the glass to jump start the Lady Eagles on a 7-0 flight with 3:48 left in the first period. Jones came back to go on an 8-2 run to end the period down by one, 9-8.

Etowah’s Kristie Spivey started the second period with a moon-drop three pointer to ignite an Eagles’ 8-4 run, while their twin towers, Frechette and Lindsey Mason, put a lock on the door at the paint to give the Lady Eagles a 26-21 lead at the half.

Jones just couldn’t overcome the dominance of the Eagles’ towering combatants, although they managed to stick close throughout the game with Jordan doing most of the scoring from the perimeter.

The Lady Eagles didn’t give up any height advantage bringing 5’-11 Tiauna Brantley off the bench to score five points and ride the boards for six rebounds while blocking three shots.

Jones’ big girl, Samerian Pitts, could not counter the giant attack put upon her by the Eagles’ massive front court, but put up a good fight under the circumstances, managing five rebounds and eight points.

Etowah’s Hatchett started to knock down three pointers and drive the paint for baskets in the final period of play, while Alicia Manning got hot putting up 15-footers to seal the victory for the Lady Eagles as they advanced to the championship game on Friday against West-Macon.

E.R.’s Picks:

Etowah: Tagan Hatchett(GDP), Alicia Manning(GDP), Nicole Frechette(GDP), Lisa Gaunder, Kristie Spivey, Lindsey Mason, Tiaunna Brantley

Jones County: Chimere Jordan(GDP), Samerian Pitts, Adrienne Patterson, Kiswanna Ross