The French Camp Lady Panthers played two close games last weeks, one a 64-58 loss to Ethel and the other a 42-39 victory over Winona Christian.
“They were both really close and they were both very physical games,” said coach Priscilla Anderson.
A key to the Ethel game was that Maddie Davis, the Lady Panthers’ best defender, fouled out late in the third quarter. She had been guarding Akilah Erving, Ethel’s top scorer. “When she fouled out, Erving started doing what she does.” Anderson said.
French Camp lost despite shooing 71 percent from the floor (25 of 35). Jasmine Bonty connected on 12 of 15 shots, scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds. Madison Klein had 19 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Anderson said the Winona Christian game was the most physical game for the Lady Panthers this season. “The other team committed three intentional fouls in a row. I’m talking about hard intentional fouls.”
French Camp was able to hold on by making key free throws. Klein had 13 points, eight assists and five rebounds and Bonty 11 points and 15 rebounds.
Anderson said other players are stepping up to help Bonty and Klein. “But those two are doing what those two do.”
BOYS
The Panthers were defeated by Ethel 64-39 and Winona Christian 51-48.
French Camp trailed Ethel by two points, 14-12, after one quarter, but was outscored 21-12 in the second period.
“We move the ball well. We get wide open shots. We just don’t shoot the ball well,” said coach Robert Leathers.
Jacob Lewis had 15 points and Calvin Johnson 10 for French Camp.
There were some major scoring swings in the Winona Christian game. After an even first quarter, Winona Christian took a 33-19 halftime lead by outscoring the Panthers 21-7 in the second quarter. French Camp held Winona Christian scoreless in the third quarter to take a 35-33 lead. “We played great defense,” Leathers said.
Winona Christian outscored the Panthers 18-14 in the final quarter for the two-point win.
Johnson scored 20 points and Holland 15. Holman Edwards missed both games while attending funeral services in India for three French Camp students from the same family who died in a house fire in Collierville, Tenn. the day before Christmas.
Home games with Coffeeville scheduled for Tuesday were moved to Thursday due to the forecast of winter weather. The Panthers and Lady Panthers will play at Starkville Christian Friday.
French Camp will host the Region 5-1A tournament beginning Feb. 12.
