Ladies battle early, but fall hard in the end to Franklin

Cameron has traditionally had a rough go of it when they play Franklin, particularly on the road. Things really did not change much on Tuesday night, as the Lady Lions, who entered the game at 20-3 and the number 20 team in the state, cruised to a 67-27 win over the Lady Yoe.

Cameron’s (13-11/1-3) Corey Cunningham was pleased with the team’s effort early despite the lopsided score.

“Early in the game we were equally conditioned if you will,” said Cunningham. “We were staying right with them, and at the end of the first quarter it was a nine point difference. But, we were not closing well and we gave up some three-pointers. I thought it was a much closer quarter than the nine-point difference.”

Lady Lion junior point guard Jessie Medcalf heated up after the opening period and finished with a team-high 21 points, and 15 coming from beyond the arc. The win not only kept Franklin (4-0) perfect in district, it was also extra special for coach Gary Watkins, who won his 500th game all-time.

In addition to the hot 3-point shooting from Franklin after the first, Cameron went ice cold from the floor with a 1-13 finish in the second period. That all culminated in a 30-14 halftime deficit.

Franklin outshot Cameron in the game, 73-35, and offensive rebounds, wich Franklin had 20 of, were a big reason for the difference in the stat sheet.

“They were quicker to the rebounds and on their cuts and just too much for us,” said Cunningham on the shooting discrepancy.

Marly Spink had the highlight performance for Cameron on the night, coming in with 11 rebounds to go along with 6 points.

The loss was tough to swallow, but Cunningham’s message to his team after the game was simple - have a short memory.

“We have to put this one behind us because we have a winnable game Friday against Lexington and we need that to stay alive in the playoff race,” said the coach. “We are not out.”

In addition to hosting Lexington on Friday from Yoe gym, the ladies will also be playing at home versus what is now winless Rogers (0-4) on Friday.

20-3A Results and Standings

Tuesday Games: Franklin 67, Cameron 27; Rockdale 54, Hearne 33; Lexington 45, Rogers 43; Academy 78, Jarrell 36

Standings: 1. Academy (4-0), 1. Franklin (4-0), 3. Rockdale (3-1), 4. Jarrell (2-2), 4. Lexington (2-2), 6. Cameron Yoe (1-3), 7. Rogers (0-4), 7. Jarrell (0-4).

3A Girls Top 25 (January 1)

1. Canadian (16-4), 2. Pottsboro (20-3), 3. Jim Ned (15-6), 4. Mt. Pleasant Chapel Hill (21-2), 5. Wall (14-5), 6. Little River Academy (12-3), 7. Idalou (18-5), 8. Brock (17-6), 9. Winnsboro (13-9), 10. Leonard (17-3), 11. Teague (13-2), 12. Mt. Vernon (14-7), 13. Sunnyvale (18-3), 14. Shallowater (17-3), 15. Poth (14-3), 16. Cisco (17-3), 17. Yoakum (14-3), 18. Odem (18-6), 19. Woodville (22-5), 20. Industrial (18-5), 21. Hitchcock (18-6), 22. Grandview (14-8), 23. Karnes City (15-2), 24. Ponder (13-6), 25. Franklin (20-3).