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DeGraffenreid’s triple-double helps SM take league opener
Cetera DeGraffenreid turned in a triple-double with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists Friday as Smoky Mountain (12-0) opened the Western Athletic Conference portion of its basketball schedule with a 65-51 win at Brevard.
Ashley Robinson added 18 points and seven rebounds.
Portia Jackson paced the Lady Devils with 22 points, and Mary Griffin had 14.
“We played against a team that played much better than their record (1-7),” Coach Cindi Simmons said. “It was a good way to start conference play with a win on the road.”
The Lady Mustangs moved in front for good after eight straight points, including four by Kelli Woodard, for a 10-4 advantage midway through the first period.
They were up 17-7 at the quarter break.
DeGraffenreid and Woodard both had four in an 8-2 spurt upping the margin to 25-11 with 3:32 to go in the half.
SM led 33-22 at intermission.
The Lady Mustangs opened the second half with a 10-1 spurt, including four each by DeGraffenreid and Robinson, to lead 43-23 with 5:18 to play in the third stanza.
SM took a 51-36 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Jackson’s two three-pointers keyed a 9-2 spurt as Brevard cut the gap to 55-45 on Monique Benjamin’s free throw with 3:10 to play.
The Lady Mustangs regained control as DeGraffenreid scored five in an 8-2 run to lead 65-49 with 32.6 seconds on the clock.
DeGraffenreid hit 10 field goals and three free throws. Robinson’s points came on eight field goals and two foul shots.
Woodard and Jenna Carpenter both finished with eight points, Amy Haggard followed with seven and Laury Brown hit a free throw.
Woodard pulled down 10 rebounds.
DeGraffenreid and Robinson shared the Hammer Award for hustle stats. DeGraffenreid had six offensive rebounds, 10 deflections, seven steals and two blocks. Robinson had five offensive boards, three deflections and three blocks.
The Lady Mustang JVs improved to 9-2 with a 52-16 win. They led at quarter breaks by scores of 19-3, 31-11 and 35-13.
Cayla Cucumber scored 14 points.
“My girls came out very motivated,” Coach Ollin Dunford said. “We’re excited about conference play. We had no idea what Brevard would bring to the table, but it didn’t matter. With that kind of energy, we’ll be able to compete with anybody.”
He singled out Colleen Davis, who had 12 rebounds, for her play.
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