Lady Titans cruise past Watauga

Credit: Bonnie Byrd/bbevent.photoreflect.com

McDowell’s Jaalen Corpening goes to the basket while teammate Xandi Gellman (30) trails the play during Saturday’s 79-38 win over Watauga.

By Dan Crawley | mcdowell_youth@yahoo.com
Published: November 29, 2009

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The McDowell Lady Titans picked up their second win of the season Saturday evening, quickly disposing of former Northwestern 4A Conference member Watauga 79-38 at Titan Gym.
McDowell (2-0) quickly took command of the contest, outscoring the Pioneers 18-0 over the opening 4:14.
The Lady Titans continued their early surge, taking a 29-5 lead after one quarter. McDowell then outmatched Watauga to a 21-11 margin in the second quarter to take a commanding 50-16 lead.
That effectively put the game out of reach.
During the first half, all 15 Lady Titans on the roster entered the game and eight players scored in the half.
Autumn Ward (16 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, 1 assist) had an impressive first half for the Lady Titans, scoring all but two of her points during the frame. Ward was a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the 3-point line in the half.
Meanwhile, the Lady Titans didn't allow the Pioneers to get on the scoreboard until the 3:46 mark in the first when Nicole Tesh hit the front end of a two-shot foul.
Watauga's first field goal occurred with 2:12 left in the first quarter on a Christina Rees 3-pointer from the corner. The Lady Pioneers struggled, making only two more field goals the rest of the half.
"We came out right from the start," said McDowell head coach Brian Franklin. "I liked how we played on the defensive end. We also did a good job sharing the ball. Xandi had a good game inside posting up. Autumn hit some perimeter shots. Her and Jaalen were able to dribble penetrate as well. Overall I liked the intensity and that we came out ready to go."
Xandi Gellman (4 rebounds, 1 assist) led all scorers with 17 points. Jaalen Corpening (4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal) added 12 points. Tuccoa Brackett (11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists) also posted in double figures for McDowell.
Six other Lady Titans scored in the contest. Kaitlin Gallion (4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal) netted six points. Juniors Madison Thomas (6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists) and Mary Webb (2 rebounds, 1 assist) scored five points each.
Reserve players Brooke Epley and Taylor Settlemyre added three points each and McKenzie Browning scored one point. A majority of the reserves' scoring occurred during the second half.
Watauga put together its best offensive series of the contest by opening the second half with a run. Tesh and teammate Moriah Corbin made two field goals each during the run. Tesh finished with 13 points to lead the Pioneers.
"We played man-to-man in the second half and they were able to do some things," added Franklin. "That was a good experience for our team. We know that is something we need to work on in practice. But to get all 15 players in the game and to win was a good thing. It was an all-around good effort."
McDowell visits another former league rival, the Freedom Patriots, Tuesday (4 p.m. start—jayvee girls).