At the Cabot Pre-Holiday Classic on Thursday night, the Benton Lady Panthers defeated the McClellan Lady Lions 38-30 for their first win of the year. Benton Head Coach Jerry Chumley said the Lady Panthers played well.
“We had some moments out there where we looked really poised and really solid,” Chumley said.
Senior Abby Clay scored the first points for the Lady Panthers, making it 2-1 with about four minutes left. After that, Benton maintained the lead for the rest of the game. The score was 13-8 at the end of the first period.
The Lady Lions scored quickly at the start of the second period and Benton junior Lenzie Newman answered with a 3-pointer, making it 16-10. At the end of the first half, the Lady Panthers led 22-14.
Benton led 33-22 at the end of the third period. Senior Bella Slaughter scored the last shot for the Lady Panthers with about three minutes left in the fourth period, a 3-pointer which gave them the winning score of 38.