Laird scores 27

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, November 23, 2011

NATCHEZ — Tory Laird’s 27 points would have been enough to give the Adams County Christian School girls’ basketball team a one-point win over Tallulah Academy Tuesday night. But fortunately for the Lady Rebels, Laird was not the only ACCS player to show up, and the team cruised to a 64-26 victory to improve to 9-0 on the season.

Laird shot 10-19 from the field and 6-9 from the free throw line to lead the Lady Rebels’ offense, but head coach Melanie Hall said Laird’s big night was the result of a total team effort.

ERIC SHELTON | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — ACCS’ Ashton Mason goes up for a shot while being guarded by Tallulah Academy’s Kathleene Oliver during their game Tuesday night at ACCS.

“When you think about one person scoring so many points, you have to think about the interception on the pass that led to the assist that led to the points,” Hall said. “It’s a team effort. That’s what I see in this team, they complement each other so well.”

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Hall said she was happy with the way her team responded Tuesday after Monday’s close, come-from-behind win against Oak Forest.

“We didn’t have a let down,” she said.

One reason the Lady Rebels were able to secure such an easy victory was their ability to consistently force Tallulah into turnovers, but Hall said her team did not play a complete game defensively.

“At times we saw really good things on defense and at times we didn’t,” Hall said.

Abby Givens and Jessica Reynolds were each able to score nine points to help Laird out on the offensive end. Valerie Forman scored eight points, and Brandis White added six.

Hall said she likes the cohesiveness of her team, and the girls do not seem to care who scores the points.

“They are happy for each other,” she said.

ACCS jumped out to a 21-5 lead after one quarter of play to take hold of the game early.

The Lady Rebels led by a score of 35-12 at halftime, but Tallulah played the second half a little closer. ACCS outscored Tallulah 29-14 in the second half.

Tallulah’s Allie Kate Gossett was the only player in double-figures for the Trojans with 11.

Hall said she was pleased with the win, but more pleased that her players have the opportunity to play together and continue to improve.

“Before the game we talked about all the people around the world that don’t have as many blessings as we have,” she said. “It’s a gift to be able to come out and play the game of basketball.”

The Lady Rebels will take a weeklong vacation for Thanksgiving before playing again next Tuesday.

Hall said it would be nice for her players to get some rest this week after the 9-0 start.