By Jesse Deal, for the SNAP

With a 54-17 home win over South Stanly Friday night, the Gray Stone Day women’s hoops team claimed its third consecutive victory – its fifth in six games.

The Knights (6-2, 3-1) held the Bulls (3-3, 1-2) to seven first-half points and stymied the South Stanly offense throughout the contest.

Junior guard Danielle Werts led the Knights with 14 points, while senior guard Lillie Austin added 11. Junior forward Seccora Medley notched nine points and sophomore guard Olivia Payne provided nine off the bench.

However, Gray Stone Day head coach Robert Stack said his team has some things to work on going forward into the season.

“I thought it was a solid game, but I don’t think the score reflected how the game felt for the most of it,” Stack said. “We got opportunities and our height and depth added to things. Our defense was good at times, but I still think we can play better than we did tonight. We need to limit our turnovers and get better communication on defense.”

Though eight South Stanly players scored in the game, Gray Stone’s defense prevented each one from reaching four points; junior center Mattie Hinson, freshman Keeli Crisco and senior Tanaya Harris each had a team-high three points in the matchup.

The Bulls were only four for 12 from the free-throw stripe, though the Knights weren’t much better at just nine for 18. South Stanly’s main woes came from missed field goals as it shot 13 percent as a team and 8 percent from behind the arc.

Gray Stone will attempt to pick up win number-six with a road game to be determined on Dec. 27. South Stanly’s next test comes on Tuesday as it returns home to face Uwharrie Charter Academy (3-3, 1-2). The Eagles suffered a five-point home loss to North Rowan (3-3, 2-1) Friday.

The Knights and undefeated Albemarle (6-0, 2-0) now stand as the only two Yadkin Valley Conference squads to reach six wins so far into the season.

BOX SCORE

GS 11 18 9 16 54

SS 3 4 5 5       17

GS – Danielle Werts 14, Lillie Austin 11, Medley 9, Payne 9, King 4, Burris 3, Robinson 2, Ray 2.

 

SS – Tenaya Harris 3, Mattie Hinson 3, Crisco 3, Rummage 2, Crump 2, Crump 2, LeGrande 1, Lee 1