North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
Sophie Powell (14) shoots a soft one-hander for a basket in the second half of the Lady Chiefs 56-11 victory over West Florence. Powell led all scorers in that game with 21 points.
By John Smithson
The NMB Lady Chiefs varsity basketball team continued their undefeated record last Tuesday with a 56-11 win over West Florence at home.
The Chiefs got off to a quick lead with two free throws, a steal, layup and plus-one free throw by Maddie Vereen for a 5-0 lead. Meanwhile the Chiefs defense and rare shooting attempts by the Lady Knights enabled the Chiefs to build a 23-0 lead and 23-3 score after the first quarter of play.
Sloppy play early in the second quarter by both teams had Chiefs coach Heather Kearney calling a timeout. The Chiefs responded with layups by Sophie Powell and Ke’Aisha Bryant and 27-3 NMB lead.
The Chiefs held the Knights to five points for the rest of the half and led 34-8 at the break. Both teams had offensive woes in the third quarter. The Knights failed to score a point in the quarter, and their scrappy play held the Chiefs without a point until Sophie Powell scored two consecutive baskets with under four minutes left in the quarter for a 38-8 lead.
Powell continued to score with a three-point play and layup for a 43-8 Chiefs lead. Baskets by Powell and Maddie Vereen closed out the third quarter and 47-8 Chiefs lead.
Jurnee Blye opened the fourth quarter scoring for the Chiefs with a basket and Powell added six points on the scoreboard with three baskets, while the running clock ended the game after one last Chiefs free throw and 56-11 win and 8-0 record.
After the game Coach Kearney responded to my question about what was on her mind as an undefeated team about to enter region play. “The 30 turnovers we had are on my mind. The challenge for each game is understanding and perfecting who you are and what you are about. It’s never about the opponent. It’s about cleaning up. As soon as you lose focus, and we lost some focus tonight, that’s when you get 30 turnovers.”
“We as a whole have a youthful squad. So, every day is a teaching opportunity, and this was one. Credit to West Florence, a very scrappy and hard-nosed defensive team. It was a battle the first time we played them. They rip the ball from you and play tough. We are going to face teams that are not only tough but talented. We have to be able to adjust to that.”
“There were positives. Sophie Powell played well. Maddie Vereen was consistent. Last year we were reliant on two players on offense. Our third, fourth and fifth players give us more depth. This year we have more offensive threats and more ball handlers. We have some pieces, more pieces than last year, that can help us be effective.”
Kearney returned to the turnovers. “It was probably the sloppiest game we have had to date. But we will learn from it. At this point in the season, it’s about learning opportunities. We played a good Laney team last week and were able to learn some situational basketball. Based on your opponent you have to toughen up and play a different style of game. You don’t know what officials will or won’t call but you have to make that adjustment throughout the course of the year.”
The Chiefs had two games over last weekend. “After that we come back January 3rd and play Southeastern Christian. After that it’s region, and right now the region teams are successful. Myrtle Beach was ranked. Socastee is playing well with two losses and Carolina Forest is dominating. I think head to toe the region is going to be head and shoulders over what it was last year with more competitive games.”
“You have to strive for perfection. You’re not going to attain it but that’s your drive, your goal…and reducing turnovers like we had tonight,” Kearney concluded.
The Lady Chiefs added two more wins to their season in weekend games in Myrtle Beach. The Chiefs beat Georgetown 68-18 on December 20th and then beat Carvers Bay 55-21 on Monday.
