The Ava Lady Bears’ defense allowed Forsyth only 10 points in the first three quarters last Friday night, and the Ava girls went on the defeat the Panthers, 41-25.
Senior Kristen Hastings got Ava started with a strong drive to the basket and finished with eight points on the night.
Payton Lakey led the team in scoring with 14 points.
Hastings also had six rebounds and two assists on the night, and stole the ball five times.
Coach Clint Gazette said his team “came up empty” on several possessions early, but started working the ball better in the second quarter. Hastings and Lakey both had several offensive rebounds and put-backs in the second period, Gazette said.
While Ava played a lot of people in the fourth quarter, Forsyth was credited with not giving up, and racked up 15 points in the fourth quarter alone.
Others scoring for Ava were Bethany Horn 7, Jorie Garrett 6, Abbie Lansdown 4 and Erica Croney 2.
Ava hosted Cabool in SCA play Monday night and picked up a big 61-42 win.
Garrett had 26 points for Ava and Lakey added 15. Gazette said it was Cabool’s focus on Lakey that allowed Garrett many scoring opportunities.
Ava took a 10-point lead, 28-18 at halftime on a 3-point shot by Bethany Horn, who finished with eight points on the night.
Others scoring for Ava were Emily Sterling 4, Hastings 4, Melissa Coonts 2 and Lansdown 2.
With snow moving into the area, the varsity game Monday night was played at 6 p.m. and there was no junior varsity action.
Ava JV defeated Forsyth 28-7 in Taney County last Friday night. Bailey Lee had 10 points for Ava, and Hannah Johnson and Croney had four apiece.
The Lady Bears travel to Mtn. View-Liberty tonight (Thursday) for a South Central Association contest and will play Conway at home next Thursday night.
