Clay County Times-Democrat: High School Sports: Lady Mohawks notch first win of season (12/17/09)

Senior guard Penny McCluskey makes a layup in action Monday night against Harrisburg. Also pictured for the Tribe is Breanna Wright (3) as she trails the play.
(Times photo/Tim Blair)

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The Piggott Lady Mohawks got first-year head coach Alan Rabjohn his first varsity win Monday night, as they held on down the stretch to beat the Harrisburg Lady Hornets at PHS. The Tribe had three players score in double-figures on the night, as they notched the conference win 49-42.

Coming off a tough game against Earle last week, and still without the services of Allison Gurley, the Lady Mohawks could have phoned-in the contest with the Hornets. But, the Tribe rose to the occasion and weathered several late runs to earn the victory.

As the contest got underway the Lady Hornets jumped out to an early lead, and enjoyed a five point advantage by the conclusion of the first quarter. In the second frame the Lady Mohawks responded and pulled to within one point by the halftime break. In the third quarter the Tribe moved out to a five point lead of their own, and the score stood 35-30 going into the fourth quarter.

During the final frame the Hornets made several more runs, but the Lady Mohawks were able to answer and actually extend the lead. Thanks to some timely free-throws down the stretch by Penny McCluskey and Mallory Wright, the Mohawks held on for the win 49-42.

Wright led the Tribe in scoring on the game with 12, while McCluskey and Heather Scott were also in double figures with 11 each. Breanna Wright finished with 8 points, Taylor Coomer finished with 4 points and Sheleen Johnson had a big three-point basket in the fourth quarter. Nicki Pierce led the Hornets on the game with 18 points. With the win the senior girls move to 1-9 overall.

Thursday night the Lady Mohawks are scheduled to visit the Manila Lions, and former coach Jeff Priest, with the seventh grade, junior and senior girls in action. Friday afternoon at 3:45 the Lady Mohawks will take on Brookland in the first round of the Christmas Classic at Brookland High School. They'll play again at 1:30 Saturday afternoon against the Lady Pirates of Gosnell in the round-robin tournament. They'll also be in action at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21 as they take on the Barton Bears at Brookland.