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Stifling defense helps SM rout North in WAC action
Cetera DeGraffenreid scored 32 points and came up with 12 steals and five assists as Smoky Mountain crushed North Henderson 70-28 Friday in a Western Athletic Conference basketball game at the SM gym.
Tasha Junaluska added 10 points and four steals for the Lady Mustangs (21-0, 8-0).
Morgan McMinn was the only offensive force for the Lady Knights as she had 20 points.
“They really challenged us at North the first time we played,” Coach Cindi Simmons said. “We were determined to put forth a solid performance this time. We had a great defensive effort and played great team ball.”
The game was a rout even though North attempted 30 free throws while SM went to the line just three times.
The outcome was never in doubt. The Lady Mustangs finished the first quarter on a 14-2 run, including a pair of three-pointers by Junaluska, to lead 23-3 after the first quarter.
DeGraffenreid had five in a 9-2 run for a 35-6 margin with 3:17 to play in the second period.
SM led 37-10 at halftime.
The Lady Mustangs ended the third stanza with an 11-2 spurt, including seven by DeGraffenreid, for a 56-19 lead.
Jenna Carpenter hit a pair of three-pointers in the fourth quarter as the final represented the biggest lead of the game.
DeGraffenreid hit 14 field goals, including a trio of three-pointers, and a foul shot. Two of Junaluska’s four field goals were treys.
Amy Haggard finished with eight points, Carpenter and Ashley Robinson both added six, Laury Brown scored four, and Ashley Coggins and Kelli Woodard had two apiece.
Robinson was the top rebounder with seven. Brown and Coggins both had five rebounds, and Coggins handed out four assists.
DeGraffenreid, Brown, Robinson and Junaluska all were given the Hammer Award for hustle stats. DeGraffenreid had 12 steals, eight deflections, six loose balls and two offensive rebounds. Brown recorded four loose balls, four offensive rebounds, three deflections and three steals. Robinson finished with seven deflections, four offensive rebounds, two loose balls, two steals and two blocks. Junaluska had four steals and four loose balls.
The Lady Mustang JVs (17-2) won 36-23 behind 20 points from Cayla Cucumber.
SM led at quarter breaks by scores of 13-5, 19-9 and 25-16.
“We played to the level of our opponents, and we got outplayed,” Coach Ollin Dunford said. “We didn’t play to our potential and were very fortunate to come out with the win.”
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