Unaka Lady Rangers Narrowly Defeated by Grainger County, 54-48

The Unaka Lady Rangers faced a challenging start to their basketball season, falling to Grainger County with a final score of 54-48 on March 15, 2024. The game demonstrated fierce competition, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination throughout the match.

Intense Gameplay Characterizes the Match

Grainger County set the pace early, establishing a lead as all five starters contributed points in the opening quarter. Their balanced scoring effort resulted in a 13-11 advantage after the first period, highlighting the competitive nature of the matchup. The Lady Grizzlies also excelled at the free-throw line, a crucial aspect that would sustain them throughout the evening. By halftime, Grainger maintained a narrow 25-22 lead, bolstered by an impressive free-throw shooting performance, finishing the game at a remarkable 15-of-18.

The third quarter appeared to shift in favor of Unaka, as Brooklyn Campbell made a pivotal 3-pointer to tie the game early in the period. Just moments later, she sank another long-range shot, giving the Lady Rangers their first lead of the night at 28-25. The momentum seemed to favor Unaka further when Grainger’s Abrie Nickels fouled out with 5:48 remaining in the quarter.

Despite Unaka’s strong start to the third, which included a peak lead of 32-27 following a basket from Keyona Hague, Grainger was quick to respond. Utilizing an aggressive full-court press, the Lady Grizzlies forced turnovers and gradually regained control, ending the quarter with a 43-40 advantage.

Final Quarter Struggles

The fourth quarter proved to be particularly challenging for Unaka, as their scoring efforts dwindled. The Lady Rangers managed only eight points in the final frame, unable to counter Grainger’s persistent defensive pressure and clutch free-throw shooting. Michelle Shields, who played through a painful charley horse, contributed eight points, all from the free-throw line, showcasing her resilience despite struggling to find her offensive rhythm.

Adison Hayes led Grainger with an impressive 20 points, supported by McKinney Mills, who added 10 points. For Unaka, both Kalli Sheppard and Brooklyn Campbell finished with 11 points, indicating potential for the remainder of the season.

Although the season opener did not yield the desired outcome for Unaka, the Lady Rangers demonstrated their competitiveness and ability to fight throughout the game. With a focus on refining their shooting and maintaining composure under pressure, they look ahead to turning close games into victories as the season progresses.

Final Score: Unaka 11 11 18 8 — 48; Grainger 13 12 18 11 — 54.

**Scoring Summary:**
Grainger: Mills 10, Hayes 4, Dalton 3, Stratton 8, Roach 4, Caldwell 4, Hayes 20, Nickels 1
Unaka: Shields 8, Campbell 11, Sheppard 11, Hague 7, Parker 3, Sutherland 6, Dugger 2
**Fouls:** Unaka 21, Grainger 22.