PORTLAND The Portland High School girls basketball team took control with a 28-5 run in the first half, rolling to a 60-39 victory over visiting Gallatin in the two teams’ District 9-AAA opener on Friday evening.
“Coming into the game, Coach (Miranda) Cravens wanted us intense from the beginning,” said Lady Panther senior guard Cristina Herrera. “We just kept that up and worked as a team.”
The Lady Wave actually jumped out to an 8-3 lead, but a series of turnovers hindered Gallatin as Portland took control.
Lady Wave senior forward Anastasia Blakemore had a pair of early baskets, helping her squad to the five-point advantage.
However, Herrera made four 3-pointers over the final 10:09 of the first half.
Portland High senior guard Cristina Herrera releases a first-quarter jump shot. Herrera scored a game-high 17 points.
“I definitely like seeing a zone (defense), especially when I’m on,” Herrera said.
Gallatin actually mixed its defenses, playing both zone and man-to-man.
“That’s one area we’ve matured in, making adjustments and not collapsing when they make two or three shots,” Cravens said. “In practice, we worked against man and a 2-3 (zone). We knew we may see them both.”
The Lady Panthers (3-2 overall, 1-0 in District 9-AAA) made six of their seven 3-pointers before halftime.
“It took them a minute to get adjusted to the (full-court) press and get in rhythm,” Cravens said. “Once they got adjusted, they executed the game plan and what we worked on pretty well.”
Portland High senior forward Al Chatmon maneuvers past Gallatin senior Grayson Pryor. Chatmon scored 13 points in the Lady Panthers’ 60-39 victory.
The Lady Wave (3-4, 0-1) didn’t get any closer than 17 points in the second half.
The lead swelled to as much as 25 points on Herrera’s putback with 6:12 remaining.
Herrera finished with 17 points, and senior forward Al Chatmon and junior forward Mackenzie Trouten provided 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Senior guard Rene’ Hudson led Gallatin offensively with 10 points, and junior teammate Savannah Link scored eight points.
Gallatin High junior guard Savannah Link looks to pass under pressure from Portland senior Erica Keen. Link scored eight points.
Portland plays at Station Camp on Tuesday evening, while Gallatin hosts Mt. Juliet.
Reach Craig Harris at charris@mtcngroup.com or at 615-575-7138. Follow him on Twitter @HarrisGNESports.
GALLATIN (39) – Rene’ Hudson 10, Savannah Link 8, Anastasia Blakemore 6, Veronica Varoz 6, Sha’Mari Johnson 2, Tiera McDermott 2, Grace Pincock 2, Grayson Pryor 2, LaMonica Mintlow 1.
PORTLAND (60) – Cristina Herrera 17, Al Chatmon 13, Mackenzie Trouten 10, Rachel Jennings 8, Taylor Cole 6, Erica Keen 6.
Half: 35-16, Portland. Three-point goals: Gallatin 3 (Hudson 2, Varoz 1), Portland 7 (Herrera 5, Chatmon 1, Jennings 1). Records: Gallatin 3-4 overall, 0-1 in District 9-AAA; Portland 3-2, 1-0.