Marshall County and Graves County girls’ basketball teams have enjoyed a great back and forth battle between the two First Region rivals for decades with the exception of a long string of 19 wins by the Lady Marshals from 2006 through 2014. Since the Lady Eagles win on Feb. 7, 2014 to end the losing streak, the two squads have each won 10 games in their series.
Last season, they split their regular season games and the Lady Eagles advanced to the First Region Tournament championship game where they lost to McCracken County. Former Marshall County boy’s assistant, Lyndon Dunning, started his third season this year as the Lady Eagles head coach with a record of 43-11.
A 3-pointer from senior Conlee Spann set things in motion for the Lady Eagles and they went on to lead from start to finish in their 41-24 win on Friday at the Eagles Nest.
The Lady Marshals struggled to find ways to score but after trailing by 10 at halftime and as many as 13 in the second quarter, found ways to cut the lead back to seven in the third quarter and trailed by nine heading into the fourth.
Graves County scored the first seven points to start the fourth and stretched the lead to 16 at 35-19, going on to take a 17-point win.
Head Coach Jimmie Holder, in post-game comments to WCBL, said going in their goal was to keep Graves County around the 40-point mark. They accomplished that but the balls just weren’t falling for the Lady Marshals.
“Growing pains”, said Holder. “A lot of growth will occur over the next two months.”
Laken Schroader led the Lady Marshals scoring with 11 points. Hannah Glisson led the Lady Eagles with 13, seven coming in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Marshals play a 3:30 game today against West Carroll, Tenn. at McCracken County.
Marshall County 7 5 7 5 – 24
Graves County 13 9 6 13 – 41
Marshall County (1-3): Laken Schroader 11, Madyson Morton 5, Mia Teague 3, Chevelle Henson 3, Izzy Washburn 2
Graves County (3-1): Hannah Glisson 13, Conlee Spann 12, Carly Riley 9, Morgan Alexander 3, Ella Kemp 3, Kailey Winfrey 1