Dalton’s April Besley, center, scored 11 points to lead the Lady Catamounts over Crisp County in the Class AAA girls’ semifinal game on Friday. Dalton won 53-46 to advance to the championship tonight.
Contributed Photo by Doug SmithMACON, Ga.-Through three quarters of her team’s GHSA Class AAA girls’ semifinal game against Crisp County, April Besley’s heroics weren’t needed. When the game got tight, Dalton’s version of the Energizer Bunny sprang to life and saved the day.
Besley scored eight of her 11 points and made several key hustle plays in the final period as Dalton edged feisty Crisp County, 53-46, setting up a championship showdown tonight at 7 against Washington County.
The Lady Catamounts (33-0) never trailed and nearly broke the game open early with a 12-point first-period lead. However, the Lady Cougars (15-15) benefited from a sagging zone defense featuring 6-foot-3, 250-pound freshman center Nasheema Oliver and started hitting from the outside to make it a two-point game going into halftime.
“We would execute real well offensively and extend the lead to eight or nine points; then Crisp would hit some 3 pointers and get right back into it,” Dalton coach Jeff McKinney said. “We never felt very comfortable until the final horn.”
GHSA Class AAA semifinal at MaconDALTON 53, CRISP COUNTY 46Crisp County 9 12 12 13 – 46Dalton 18 5 16 14 – 53Crisp County (46) – Waters, Mariah Davis 12, Keidia Green 10, Kayla Green 11, Dennard, Colson, Nasheema Oliver 13.Dalton (53) – Amanda Rector 14, April Besley 11, McKinney 3, Maddie Howell 15, Behr, Thomas 1, Snyder, McCurty 9, Sharp.3-point goals: Crisp 6 (Ka. Green 3, Davis 2, Ke. Green); Dalton 3 (Howell 3). Other highlights: Quaneisha McCurty 14 r, 7 b; Besley 8 r; Rector 5 s (D); Oliver 15 r (CC). Records: Dalton 33-0; Crisp County 15-15.