Lady Thunderbirds eliminate Concord

Down by two, Guy-Perkins closed the first half with a 15-3 run and never looked back, eliminating Concord's Lady Pirates 62-49 in the first round of the 1A, Region 3 Tournament on Friday night in Greers Ferry.

Concord took the game's first lead when guard Megan Talley drained a three-pointer from left wing, but Guy retaliated with a 6-0 spurt as power forward Alexis Hogan completed an old-fashioned three-point play and guard Cari Beth Halk popped a three-pointer from left wing.

With the Lady Pirates behind 15-8 after Guy forward Alli Brown notched a rebound bucket, Concord power forward Emanda Reeves hit a bank shot in the lane then Talley swiped a steal and dropped a tough bank shot over Guy forward Morgan Hooten.

Late in the first quarter, Brown sank a free throw, giving the Lady Thunderbirds a 16-12 lead entering the second quarter.

Concord, which finished its season with a record of 18-15, opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run, sparked by forward Mandy Thompson, who scored on a fast-break off an assist from Reeves.

Concord post player Madison Robbins collected a rebound and scored then guard Sydney Harlan sank two free throws as the Lady Pirates suddenly took an 18-16 lead before Guy forward Abigail Smith hit a pair from the stripe.

The Lady Pirates jumped back on top when Reeves hit two free throws and extended their lead to four on a floater in transition by Talley. But, trailing 22-18, the Lady Thunderbirds closed the first half with a game-changing 15-3 run.

With 1:17 remaining until halftime, Reeves turned an offensive rebound into a free throw as the Lady Pirates trimmed their deficit to three, but Guy closed the second stanza with five quick points as Halk drained a three-pointer from left elbow and Hogan scored from left block off an assist from Brown.

Leading 33-25 at intermission, Guy stretched its lead to double figures by outscoring the Lady Pirates 18-13 in the third quarter as Smith led the charge with six points, including four free throws, while Brown added five, Hogan had four and Halk added a three-pointer ¬ her third of the contest.

Trailing 51-37 entering the fourth quarter, Concord twice pulled within 10 in the final period, once on a layup by forward Kayla Richardson and again moments later when Talley hit a floater in transition.
Hogan countered with five straight for the Lady Thunderbirds, who pulled away down the stretch for a 62-49 victory.

Smith hit 13 free throws while scoring a game-high 21 points for Guy (28-7), Hogan followed with 15, Halk finished with 13 and Brown had 10. Reeves paced Concord with 16 points, Talley followed with 13 and Richardson finished with six.