JCHS Girls fight to the end against EHS

Going up against the No. 1 team in the state Saturday night, the Lady Longhorns once again showed it was not going to quit.
Falling behind 51-6 at half, the Lady Longhorns fought hard and only gave up 15 points in the second half in a 66-19 defeat to powerful Elizabethton at Treadway Gym.
The Lady Longhorns were over-matched by the likes of Cara Bowling and Kristen Powell, but even though the first half was very forgetful, the second half proved to be a positive.
JCHS only has one senior on its active roster and Longhorn fans are going to have to be patient.
Even though Elizabethton put on a first half clinic, the Lady Longhorns are showing some positive signs.
“I was very disappointed in the first half with our lack of communication, our focus and effort. It frustrates me when we don’t play hard,” JCHS head coach Todd Whittemore said.
“We told them at halftime that is not all about you. This about your parents, this about the fans who don’t have kids involved who are supporting us, it’s for everybody in Mountain City. You’re playing for more than just yourself. Austin Atwood came in at halftime and talked to them and I appreciate them. I really liked our fourth quarter. They probably think we’re nuts that we’re down 45 and we make a good play we’re cheering. It’s not just about winning or losing, it really is how you play the game. We can’t wait until next year to get better because Rebecca Royston and Andrea Eller don’t have next year.”
Speaking of Royston, her second half was outstanding as she scored seven points and played well all the way around.

“Rebecca played well in the second half,” Whittemore said.
Everybody stepped up in the second half and they gave a great effort.
Though it’s hard to play when you’re down big, the Lady Longhorns kept a really good effort.
“Sometimes when a game is in doubt that’s when people don’t play hard,” Whittemore said. “We forgot about the score and started playing. I challenged them in the locker room to give me that effort for 32 minutes Tuesday night.”
Scoring: Rebecca Royston 7, Sarah Swift 2, Nikki Farrow 2, Chelsea McCullouch 3, Brianna Reece 1, Kristen Roark 4.
Friday’s Game
Happy Valley 51
JCHS 20
The Lady Longhorns had another tough night and Happy Valley was just too strong.
The Lady Warrior defense held JCHS to 20 points and Happy Valley led by as many as 35.
Scoring: Rebecca Royston 6, Sarah Swift 2, Brooke Brown 6, Brianna Reece 2, Lindsey Osborne 2, Kelly Jennings 2.
The Lady Longhorns hosted Unicoi Tuesday, travel to Tri-Cities Christian Thursday and host Sullivan East Friday.