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Defending champs rout Lady Mustangs
Asheville not only looked like the two-time defending state 3-A basketball champions, but the Lady Cougars also showed why they are overwhelming favorites for a three-peat as they blasted Smoky Mountain 77-43 Friday in Mountain Athletic Conference action at the SM gym.
Rashanda McCants (North Carolina) scored 26 points followed by Danielle Burgin (UNC-Charlotte) with 21 and Lauren Powell (Western Carolina) with 19.
Cetera DeGraffenreid had 22 points and accounted for more than half of the offensive production for the Lady Mustangs (11-4, 6-3). She also led the team with eight rebounds.
"Asheville has a collection of talent with three future Division I players," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "Our game plan was to limit their possessions, but their defensive pressure creates so many opportunities for them. We didn't handle their pressure well and had too many turnovers."
The Lady Cougars jumped to an 8-1 lead in the first three minutes as Burgin had a couple of follow shots.
DeGraffenreid converted a three-point play making it 15-9 at the 2:13 mark, but Asheville scored the periods final eight points, including four by Maya Mitchell, to lead 23-9.
Eight points by McCants sparked an 11-1 run for a 34-12 margin with 4:01 to play in the half.
The biggest lead of the half was 43-17 on Nicole Powell's layup at the 2:28 mark, and it was 43-21 at intermission.
The margin reached 30 when McCants' steal and layup made it 54-24 with 2:33 to play in the third quarter, which ended with Asheville leading 56-29.
The game's largest lead was 77-41 when Lauren Powell scored with 3:03 on the clock.
DeGraffenreid hit six field goals, including a three-pointer, and nine foul shots.
Leslie Mathis finished with eight points, Kristine Webb scored three, Sky Kanott, Rachel Stewman, Kelli Woodard and Brandi Anders all had two, and Amy Haggard and Laury Brown each made a free throw.
The Lady Mustang JVs are 8-7 after a 52-48 overtime win. After leading the entire game they fell behind late, but Tara Maloy went the length of the court to score the tying basket (45-45) with one second left in regulation.
Cayla Cucumber finished with 14 points, and Maloy had 13.
"We just had a great team game and didn't give up," Coach Kim Hardy said. "They played their hearts out, and it paid off."
SM led at quarter breaks by scores of 12-7, 24-19 and 35-29.
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