LADY BEARCATS OPEN WITH WIN OVER MANSFIELD

Head coach Tim Goers and the Booneville Lady Bearcats opened the 2021-2022 season with a 57-51 over a state tournament team.

They did so after 16 lead changes and in a game that saw the greatest deficit for either team being six points.

With Carah Miller run off six straight points over the final 1:29 of the opening quarter the Lady Bearcats led 13-10.

Miller would score 10 points in the game.

However, Mansfield started the second quarter by scoring seven straight and the Lady Tigers, who won 22 times last season before losing to eventual state champion Melbourne in the second round of the Class 2A tournament, went on to open a 25-19 lead with 3:36 left in the half.

The Lady Bearcats closed the half with another 6-0 run again to tie the game.

Leigh Swint, who finished with a game-high 15, had a basket and a pair of free throws in the run and Hayley Roberts contributed the tying basket on an assist from Brooke Turner.

There were seven lead changes in the third quarter alone, including one on a basket by Joleigh Tate that made it 31-30.

Turner then hit a 3 at the 2:36 mark of the quarter to tie the game at 34-34 and Linley Garrett hit another to put the Lady Bearcats back in front.

The Lady Bearcats continued to lead until the Mansfield went in front 45-43 with 3:52 to play.

Swint went on a personal 5-0 run to give the Lady Bearcats the lead but Mansfield gould go back in front 49-48.

A pair of free throws by Swint gave the Lady Bearcats the lead for good and a 3 by Roberts, on an assist from Swint made it 53-49.

Lexi Franklin sliced her way in for a basked to make it 55-49 with 1:04 to go.

A bucket by Heaven Sanchez (pictured) gave her seven points in the game and clinched it.

In addition to her 15 points, Swint had six rebounds and five steals. Roberts matched the six rebounds and finished with nine points.