GAINESVILLE — Johnson girls coach Tiffany Kirkland knew it would be a work-in-progress when she took over the Lady Knights program last season.
But after Saturday’s impressive 58-43 win over Upson Lee in the first round of the Chestatee Turkey Shootout at the Chestatee gym, the work may finally be paying off.
Despite just a five-win campaign last season, Kirkland felt things were moving in the right direction. While Saturday’s victory was just the first of the season for the Lady Knights (1-2) it was the manner in which they won that could prove to be a turning point.
They trailed 11-2 after the first quarter but used a 17-7 second quarter to grab the lead and never looked back in the second half as they increased their scoring in each quarter. They scored 19 in the third and 20 in the fourth.
“We just started doing the little things,” Kirkland said. “I thought in our first two games we were making some strides and hopefully this will give us the confidence to move forward.”
The Lady Knights won the game at the free throw line hitting 22-of-28 for the game and a 12-of-15 in the fourth quarter. They were able to extend a 45-41 lead and outscored Upson Lee 13-2 over the final three minutes.
Katie Wise had 18 points to pace Johnson. Carolina Odum added 14 and Hannah Hester 11 for the Lady Knights.
Upson Lee was paced Cierra Williams with 14 points.
Johnson will take on the Chestatee-Discovery winner at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the semifinals. North Gwinnett and White County will meet in the other semifinal at 3:30 p.m.Monday.
WHITE COUNTY 50
FOREST PARK 49 OT
The Lady Warriors rallied from an early 12-2 deficit, took the lead by halftime, and then had to rally again in the fourth quarter before holding off the Lady Panthers.
McKayla McCallister paced White County with 13 points but Jordan Taylor was the catalyst down the stretch pouring in all 12 of points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
White County battled back from that early deficit to take a 16-13 halftime lead outscoring Forest Park 14-1 over the final five minutes of the second quarter. Forest Park stormed out in the third quarter to retake the lead 30-23 heading into the fourth quarter.
The two teams finished in a 42-42 tie at the end of regulation.
Alexius High led Forest Park with 19 points. Sarah Matthews added 15 for the Lady Panthers.
CHESTATEE 47
DISCOVERY 17
Host Chestatee (1-0) held the Lady Titans scores less in the first quarter while running out to a 20-0 lead en route to the victory.
The Lady War Eagles extended their lead to 35-10 by halftime.
Kayla Watson led seven scorers for Chestatee with 16 points. Dawndria Bell and Lindsey Caudell each added 10 points for the Lady War Eagles.
Chestatee will play Johnson at 6:30 p.m.on Monday in the semfinals.
NORTH GWINNETT 42
FORSYTH CENTRAL 36 OT
Jessica Belcher poured in 22 points, 12 in the fourth quarter and overtime, to lead North Gwinnett to the win.
North Gwinnett led by one with 12 seconds left but Forsyth Central hit one of two free throws to send it to overtime.
In the overtime North Gwinnett never trailed and finished the game with a 9-3 run.
Kat Wilson added 14 points for North Gwinnett.
Julie Richards led Forsyth Central with 24 points.
