The good new for girls basketball teams around the 13th Region is that the Middlesboro Lady Jackets don’t have another two-week layoff on their schedule.

The bad news is that coach Elgie Green thought his Lady Jackets were rusty coming into Friday’s home contest with Knox Central.

Samantha Coleman scored 23 points, Brooklynn Jimison added 16 and Mallory Shoffner 13 as Middlesboro rolled to an 84-19 victory.

Knox Central is now 2-5 as they try and figure a way to replace departed standout Wendi Messer. Friday, they were also without senior point guard Ashley Sizemore.

“We had been off for two weeks and I had to let my shooters play to get the rust off and get ready for three games next week,” Green said.

Shooting was a problem early on for the Lady Jackets, but the defense was strong throughout. Coleman scored six points in the first quarter, Shoffner hit a 3 and the Lady Jackets led 12-7 after one.

In the second period Middlesboro pressure really started to take a toll. Shaleesha Coleman scored eight of her nine points in the quarter and Sophie Robinson knocked down a pair of 3s as the Lady Jacket lead grew to 31-11 by halftime.

Jimison took over inside in the third quarter as she scored 10 points, while Samantha Coleman was a force in transition pouring in 11. They combined to hit 9-of-11 free throws and the Lady Jackets led 55-18 after three.

With the game well in hand Green went to his bench, but it didn’t matter. All ten Lady Jackets who played scored at least two points and Knox Central wasn’t able to do anything against the Middlesboro defense.

Middlesboro out-scored the Lady Panthers 29-1 in the fourth period as they pulled away to win by 65.

“It was a team effort,” Green said. “Our defense was good. We passed the ball well and took good shots. We were very unselfish tonight.”

The Lady Jackets (2-0) return to action Tuesday in the second game of a boys/girls district double-header at Cawood. Middlesboro also plays double-headers at Pineville Thursday and at home against Harlan Friday.

— — —

Knox Central 7 4 7 1 — 19

Middlesboro 12 19 24 29 — 84



KNOX CENTRAL (19): Seira Gibson 11, Charli Sowders 5, Shakira Gregory 2, Cassie Shippy 1, Brittany Jordan 0, Rachel Scalf 0, Kayla Wilburn 0, Becky Vaughn 0, Bridgett Yong 0, Cassie Tye 0, Karley Hamilton 0, Deryn Warren 0, Kayla Shelton 0.

MIDDLESBORO (84): Samantha Coleman 23, Brooklynn Jimison 16, Mallory Shoffner 13, Shaleesha Coleman 9, Sophie Robinson 6, Taylor Hatchell 6, Ashely Williams 4, Ashley Mason 3, Katie Maiden 2, Shanice Gilbert 2.