Lady Cavs make early statement

Backed by a raucous, playoff-type home crowd, Carroll County’s girls made a statement Friday in their season opener in Hillsville, blasting Pulaski County 78-62 in a non-district tilt featuring two of the top teams in the state.

The Cougars came into the game with almost everybody back from a squad that has made two Class 4 State Final appearances over the past three years, including this past spring. But the Cavaliers have plenty of their own weapons and postseason aspirations as they return nearly the entire lineup that advanced to the Class 3 State Semifinals in February.

After battling Pulaski to a 4-4 midway through the opening period, Carroll County (1-0) reeled off a 14-0 run to take a 20-8 lead after one quarter. Pulaski (1-1) never got closer than eight points the rest of the way as the Lady Cavaliers went on to build a commanding 21-point advantage in the fourth quarter.

It was the type of effort Carroll County head coach Marc Motley has become accustomed to seeing from this squad since the state semifinal loss to Spotswood in February.

“Our kids have just practiced so hard since last year. I have been so proud of them. They are reaping the rewards of their work ethic is all I know to say. They have been busting their rear ends in practice. They have been looking forward to play against somebody besides our own colored jersey,” Motley said. “And yeah, we have big aspirations this year, but we are just going to take it one game at a time. We prepared for this game for the last few days. We will go enjoy it this weekend and Monday we are going to go get ready for Marion. But I told our kids most of the time when we can win a big game like that, I will come in the locker room and dance for them. But this is a game to prepare us. We want to be ready down the road, and if we win some games along the road, that is great.”

While Carroll County got contributions across the board and four players scored in double figures, sophomore Alyssa Ervin put on a show, pumping in a game-high 29 points and almost attacking the basket at will. Her huge night was highlighted by an incredible effort play that gave the Cavs a 32-18 advantage late in the second – Carroll’s biggest lead at that point.

After the Cavaliers missed two shots at the basket, Irvin made it three straight offensive rebounds as she dived to keep a ball alive by passing it to a teammate. Ervin then gathered herself and got herself open enough for a 3-pointer that banked off the glass for the 14-point Cavalier cushion.

“There is no question that she has as good a motor as anyone within 250 miles of this place, and she is going to play 100 miles an hour anywhere she goes. That is not an issue. I don’t have to coach her effort. Ever,” Motley said. “I guess I have gotten used to it. Maybe that is a bad thing, but I have gotten used to watching her play that hard. I have become accustomed to watching them play with that kind of effort. I guess it doesn’t amaze me as much as it did, but I am proud of them. They reaped the rewards of what they have sowed for the last six months.”

The rest of Carroll’s usual suspects came to play as well – Jaelyn Hagee scored 13 points and led the team with eight rebounds, while Kalee Easter pumped in 10 points and paced the Cavs with four steals. But it was Ashton Richardson who seemed the keep the Cavaliers humming. She hit a pair of big 3-pointers, but also made good on 9-of-11 free throws.

“That’s very possibly her career high. She made clutch free throw after clutch free throw. She made a big shot here at the end,” Motley said. “You will see Alyssa’s athleticism, you will see Kalee’s ballhandling, and you will see Jaelyn’s athleticism, but that kid (Richardson) right there, that is the glue because she does everything.”

The Cavaliers’ speed gave Pulaski trouble all night, leading to 45 free throw attempts for Carroll. All-State center Ally Fleenor picked up her fourth foul with more than five minutes still to play in the third quarter, while Cougar guards Jaden Lawson and Keslyn Sechrist both were in heavy foul trouble in the first half.

“I think we jumped on them and hit that three and the next thing you know we are on a 15-2 run. We got our lead early with everybody in the game, but then their guards got in trouble with the Lawson kid and the Sechrist kid getting three fouls in the first half,” Motley said. “I think that hurt them more than Fleenor getting her fourth. Sechrist is a load because she can score anywhere on the floor.”

Fleenor led Pulaski with 17 points, Secrist added 16 and Paige Huff tossed in 12 more. Still, Carroll made 31 free throws on the night, while Pulaski attempted just 20.

“I’ve told kids for years, if you make more than they shoot, you are going to have a pretty good chance,” Motley said.

After going to Marion on Dec. 8, Carroll is scheduled to travel to Dublin on Dec. 11 for a rematch against the Cougars at Pulaski County.

Pulaski 8 17 15 22 – 62

Carroll 20 18 19 21 – 78

Pulaski County – Fleenor 6 5-10 17, Keefer 2 2-2 6, Huff 5 0-0 12, Lawson 0 2-2 2, Vest 2 3-3 7, Secrist 7 1-1 16, Cregger 0 2-2 2. 3-pointers – Huff 2, Secrist 1.

Carroll County – Ervin 9 10-12 29, Easter 3 4-10 10, Richardson 3 9-11 17, Stockner 1 1-2 3, Hagee 3 7-9 13, Alley 3 0-1 6. 3-pointers – Richardson 2, Ervin 1.

Allen Worrell can be reached at (276) 779-4062 or on Twitter@AWorrellTCN