MCJHS Basketball Teams Split Wins at Westmoreland

Story & Photos
By Ed Cahill, Westmoreland Observer

Emilee Harris scored a game-high 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Macon County defeated Westmoreland 26-22.

Michael Evans scored 13 of his game-high 14 points in the second half as Westmoreland rallied from a 15-point third-quarter deficit to defeat visiting Macon County 31-26 in a middle school boys’ basketball game played on Monday, Jan. 3.

The Eagles trailed 22-7 with less than a minute remaining in the third period before outscoring the Tigers 20-3 and taking the lead for keeps – at 27-25 – on a three-point play by Michael Evans with 1:58 left in the contest.

After hitting 10 of its first 14 field goal attempts, including two three-pointers – in as many tries – by Brett Davis, Macon County made just one of its last five shots from the floor while turning the ball over 11 times in the second half.

Westmoreland struggled offensively in the first half, making just two of 20 field goal attempts – a 10 percent average – while turning the ball over seven times as Macon County took a 17-5 halftime lead.

The Tigers then extended their lead to 20-5 when Evan Perrigo buried a three-pointer with 4:19 left in the third period.
Following an exchange of baskets, the Eagles scored the last six points of the third quarter – on a basket and two free throws by Michael Evans and a basket by Brad Evans – to close to within 22-13 heading into the final period.

After Perrigo scored to extend Macon County’s lead to 24-13 early in the fourth quarter, a basket and a pair of free throws by Michael Evans narrowed the gap to 24-17 with 4:15 left in the contest.

Then, following a turnover by the Tigers, Justice Graves hit a three-pointer to pull Westmoreland to within 24-20 with 3:41 to play.

A free throw by Trace McPherson stretched Macon County’s lead to 25-20, but back-to-back baskets by Brad Evans and Graves and a three-point play by Michael Evans erased the deficit as Westmoreland surged into the lead, 27-25, with 1:58 remaining.

Perrigo would hit the second of two free throw attempts with 52 seconds remaining to cut the Eagles’ lead to 27-26, but Westmoreland sealed the win with a basket by Brad Evans and a pair of free throws by Grant Oliver.

Brad Evans added 10 points in the winning effort while Graves and Oliver had five and two points, respectively.

Michael Evans had a game-high seven rebounds while Brandon Hudson led both teams with four assists and five steals.
For the game, Westmoreland made 11 of 39 field goal attempts – a 28.2 percent average – and hit eight of 14 tries from the free throw line while turning the ball over eight times.

Perrigo paced Macon County with 11 points. McPherson and Alex Hill added seven and six points, respectively.
Hill led the Tigers in rebounds with six.

For the game, Macon County made 11 of 19 field goal attempts – a 57.8 percent average – and hit two of five tries from the free throw line while turning the ball over 21 times.

In girls’ action, Emilee Harris scored a game-high 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Macon County defeated Westmoreland 26-22, ending the Lady Eagles’ eight-game winning streak.

With the game tied at 12-12 late in the second period, the Tigerettes scored seven straight points – including three by Harris – to take a 19-12 lead with 4:03 left in the third quarter.

The Lady Eagles pulled back to within two points twice – at 22-20 and 24-22 – but could get no closer while falling to 8-2.
Abbey Hinton and Samantha Parker scored eight points each to lead Westmoreland while Alex Minor and Autumn Carter added four and two points, respectively.

Hinton led the Lady Eagles with nine rebounds and three assists. She and Minor both had two steals.

For the game, Westmoreland made 11 of 36 field goal attempts – a 30.6 percent average – and missed its only free throw attempt while turning the ball over 13 times.

Leah Anderson added seven points and six rebounds for Macon County. Logan Hernandez dished out a pair of assists while Reese Shrum led the Tigerettes with three steals.

For the game, Macon County made 10 of 32 field goal attempts – a 31.3 percent average – and hit five of 13 tries from the free throw line while turning the ball over 14 times.

Macon County returns to action January 12-15 in the CRC Tournament at Jackson County. The teams will then host Walter J. Baird on January 20, followed by their last season game against Livingston on January 27 at home. Macon County plans to participate in the TNT State Tournament on February 5, 2011.