3rd Grade Team Ends Season on High Note

The 3rd Grade Future Lady Jackets shocked the PSA nation when they defeated the 2^nd ranked Bobcats 21-18 in a thrilling come from behind win. The Lady Jackets were down 15-3 at the half when Coach Laurence called the officials over to show scratch marks on several girl’s arms. “First of all, this is a bio-hazard,” explained Coach Laurence. “Second of all, the reason our girls are using their forearms is to get the claws off their arms.” The refs were not impressed by Coaches assessment, but the girls were galvanized by it and came out on fire in the second half. Coach Laurence’s assistant coaches immediately wrote down the quote so they could remember to bring it up as often as possible.

Mallory McCartney led the comeback with 8 points in the third quarter alone and 10 points overall in the second half. One play in particular seemed to perfectly describe the girl’s season when Ella Laurence stole the ball with just 8 seconds left in the 3^rd quarter and immediately fired a pass to Kaleigh McKown. Kaleigh was heavily guarded so she found a wide open Mallory McCartney under the basket for an easy lay up as the buzzer sounded. That bucket fired the girl’s up and tied the game at 15-15 going into the 4^th quarter.

After a long celebration by Kaleigh and Mallory, the 4^th quarter began with both teams tied. Mallory hit a bucket a minute into the 4^th quarter to give the Lady Jackets a lead they would never relinquish. Kaleigh hit two more shots and the Jackets were up 21-15 with two minutes remaining. Stifling defense by Libby Shumake, Peyton Asbill and Cady Johnson and great rebounding by Macey Weeble helped the Lady Jackets withstand a late rally by the Bobcats and bring home the 21-18 upset.

The 3rd Grade Lady Jackets learned a lesson in this comeback that seemed to come naturally to them: Jacket Fight Never Dies!

Just five hours later the Jackets finished their season with a 17-6 victory against the Spartans. The girl’s started out slow with only 1 rebound in the first quarter and trailed 2-0. After that the Lady Jackets turned on the heat. Celia Straight led the way with 9 steals and 6 rebounds as the Lady Jackets team had 32 total steals and 31 rebounds for the game. Avery Morril and Ella Laurence hit big buckets to give the Jackets a halftime lead of 8-4. Mallory McCartney scored 7 second half points as the Jackets cruised to a 17-6 win to conclude the season.

After the game the girl’s huddled at the baseline hugging each other and doing a chant the varsity had taught them. Assistant Coach Bill McKown caught the cheer on video.