Bledsoe County's Nathaniel Collins shoots over Meigs County's Levi Woods Tuesday at Meigs County High School.DECATUR, Tenn. -- Meigs County girls' basketball coach Jason Powell wanted his team to enter the court Tuesday evening for its Hall of Fame matchup against Bledsoe County with a lot of intensity.
The energy the Lady Tigers exhibited while fighting for loose balls and getting extra possessions was evidence that they responded to his request.
If he needed more, all he had to do was look at the halftime box score.
Meigs jumped out to a 50-21 halftime lead with 21 points from junior Emileigh Swafford. The Lady Tigers cooled off a bit but still started the season with an 84-46 victory.
Five Meigs players finished in double figures, led by Swafford's 28. Meigs hit five 3-point baskets in the first 16 minutes and had eight total.
"We had some easy baskets that jump-started us," Powell said. "We hit some 3s that set the tone. I wish every game would play out like that."
The Lady Tigers hit four 3s in outscoring the Lady Warriors 27-12 in the second quarter. Bledsoe had a much better third quarter, at one point trimming the margin to 25, but never got closer.
"We really want to play an up-and-down style of play, defend and take away passing lanes," Powell said. "It worked tonight."
Brandi Kilpatrick scored 14 points for Meigs. Madison Hampton had 13, while Angel Davis and Taylor Boggess each added 12.
Halei Lequire and Catherine Davis led Bledsoe with 12 points apiece, while Anna Peters had 10.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6311. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.