Two on one is a distinct advantage in a basketball fastbreak. Tyner's girls showed Friday that two to one is a clear advantage in basketball, too.
Actually the Lady Rams slightly exceeded a two-to-one ratio in girls played against Meigs County in their Region 3-AA high school quarterfinal and defeated the Lady Tigers 63-44 at Tyner.
Staff Photo by Tim Barber/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Feb 25, 2011 - Tyner's Treketta Bonds (32) shoots a layup as Meigs County's Emileigh Swafford attempts to block in first half action Friday at Tyner.Tyner (19-7) moves on to Monday's semifinals at McMinn County and take on District 5 champion McMinn Central at 6 p.m. Meigs County ended its season 15-16.
With the Lady Rams at full strength for the first time since before the District 5 tournament, 2:41 had elapsed Friday when Tyner coach Terrie Parks made a wholesale substitution.
"That's a normal thing," Parks said. "That's what's worked for us all year."
After her five-for-five swap, Parks sent in two more reserves before the first quarter ended. No starter got back in until she brought them all back to start the second quarter.
Fifteen Lady Rams played, and seven of the players off the bench scored. Seven Lady Tigers were all that played.
"They've got some good shooters," Parks said, "so you try to wear shooters down. When your legs are tired, it takes away your shot."
Illustrating the coach's points, Meigs County's Amanda Tilley's 15 points were all on 3-point goals, but the last one came at 4:26 of the third quarter. Tyner outscored the Lady Tigers 34-20 the rest of the way.
"We dug a little bit of a hole for ourselves in the first half," said Meigs coach Jason Powell, whose team was within six points at halftime despite being held to five first-half field goals. "Give them credit. They attack the basketball.
"It was hard work for everything we got. Everything they scored was around the basket. They're a quality basketball team."
Alexxus Sturkey had a nine-point second quarter and led Tyner with 13. Jacque Stubbs' 12 points were all after halftime. The Lady Rams' leading scorer for the season, Brittany McKinney, played sparingly because of flulike symptoms and still scored 11.
The Lady Tigers' Emileigh Swafford led all scorers with 16.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653.