Lady Hawks 8-1 to start ’22

LENIOR CITY — Getting roughed up and losing its first game of the season midway through Lenoir City Christmas Classic, Jennifer Galloway’s Hardin Valley Academy girls bounced back strong and closed out play at LCHS Thursday afternoon, Dec. 30, with a 70-40 drubbing of Carter.

Using pressure defense to force numerous turnovers resulting in fastbreak points late in the second quarter, Hardin Valley (8-1 starting the week) pulled away from a 16-14 edge after one quarter to build a 37-17 halftime advantage.

“We switched up our defenses a little bit to something we were a little more comfortable with,” coach Galloway said. “We were able to get out on some passes and get some steals. .... We were able to put more pressure on the ball.

“I felt like today was a good team win,” she added. “I felt like we were balanced.”

Led by a game-high 13 points from freshman post Kamiyah Love, 12 from senior guard Avery Laugherty and 11 from sophomore wing Gracie Waite.

Faith Johns0n added three 3-point field goals and ended with nine points, as did Kamryn Butcher. Lexi Hall scored six, followed by Kendra West with four and three points apiece from Deneya Peays and Lily Adkisson

The Lady Hawks opened Classic play Tuesday, Dec. 28, with a 61-47 victory against the host LCHS Lady Panthers.

Waite led all scorers with 21 points, followed by Hall with 14 and Love and Avery Laugherty each scoring eight for HVA, while Kyndra West had seven points.

Hardin Valley’s only loss came against Lafayette, Kentucky, a 52-30 winner Wednesday, Dec. 29.

“They are very good and very well coached,” coach Galloway said.

Hall’s nine points and eight from West led the HVA girls’ scoring.