Ranked in the state’s top 10 in two different polls this week, the 6-1 Lady Marshals handed an undefeated Graves County team their first loss of the season Friday at Reed Conder Gymnasium. Led in the 64-50 win by Halle Langhi with 20 points, the junior scored her 1,000th career point in the fourth quarter at the free throw line.
“Halle played great…especially that first half she dominated inside”, Coach Aaron Beth said. “She either scored or got fouled and she had a lot of rebounds. Halle is playing better all the time. She is just so solid. She’s got so much potential, upside and talent and really showed that tonight. Proud for her and happy that she got that 1,000th point.”
Graves County senior Avery Myatt opened the game with a 3-pointer and she would lead the team on the night with 24 points. Myatt gave them the lead again at 5-3 before it was tied by Jada Driver and the next eight points coming from Langhi for a 13-5 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game along with a lead the Lady Marshals held throughout.
Leading 18-10 going into the second quarter, Langhi scored on an assist by Cayson Conner and Driver’s second 3-pointer put the Lady Marshals up 23-12. Five straight points from Layne Pea made it a 29-14 game and the lead was 35-19 at halftime, the final four points coming from Conner.
Graves County trimmed the Lady Marshals 16 point halftime lead down to 10 points at 46-36 in the third quarter following a 3-pointer from Anna Whitaker but the lead was back to 16 on a basket from Pea and Conner free throws for a 50-36 lead.
Both teams put up 14 points in the fourth quarter, Graves County cutting the lead to 11 three different times, led in that effort by Myatt with eight points. Conner, Langhi, Sophie Galloway, Driver and Presley Jezik all scored in the final frame in the 14-point win.
“I’m happy with the win”, Beth said. “It’s a rivalry game. It’s just disappointing that we quit playing about halfway through the third quarter. Luckily we had a big enough lead that we still win by double figures and we can learn from that. That’s the main thing…all these games are preparation to get us ready for the post season anyway.”
They will be back on the court at 1:00 Saturday in Russellville to play Russell County (4-6).
Graves County 10 9 17 14 – 50
Marshall County 18 17 15 14 – 65
Graves County: Myatt 24, Carter 6, Whitaker 5, Harris 5, Jackson 4, Glisson 4, Alexander 2
Marshall County: Langhi 20, Conner 16, Driver 15, Pea 9, Jezik 2, Northcott 2
