A-J girls improve to 5-4 with two wins
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School girls’ basketball team won twice in recent action.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>A-J 56, West Frankfort 39:</strong> Lexa Sharp had 16 points, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range, with 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal to lead the host Lady Wildcats Thursday, Dec. 10.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Elle Basler added 15 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and a block. Jasmin Foster had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Angel Helm had 10 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist. Connar Hadley had 2 points and 2 rebounds. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The game was tied 13-13 after one quarter. A-J pulled ahead 26-18 at the half and was up 46-32 after three periods.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We really stepped up,” A-J coach Matt Denny said. “Having four kids in double figures really shows our depth and balance.”</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>A-J 52, Cobden 24:</strong> Basler scored 14 points, had 2 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist to lead the visiting Lady Wildcats to the win in non-conference action Tuesday, Dec. 8.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Helm added 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals for A-J. Heath had 8 points. Ericka Ralls had 6 points and a rebound. Hadley had 5 points, 6 rebounds and an assist. Smith had 3 points, 2 steals and an assist. Sharp had 2 points and 4 rebounds. Jasmin Foster had 2 points, 2 steals and a rebound. Julia Ellis had 2 points.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Denny said the Lady Wildcats, who were playing their second game in two days, “responded well being our second game in two days after playing a hard game with Carterville.” </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We were sore and half of us were battling colds. I was proud that we did what we had to to win.”</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Brooke Bailey and Taylor Tomazzoli had 7 points apiece to lead the Appleknockers. Alaina Hartline added 4 points, Merideth Flamm 3, Gregoria Rafael 2 and Makynzie Peterman 1. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Lady Wildcats built a commanding 13-3 first quarter lead and were ahead 27-13 at the half. A-J led 39-15 going into the final period.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A-J, 5-4, is scheduled to play Friday at home against Du Quoin.</span></p>