By By SCOTT COOPER – Sports Writer
After falling behind by substantial margins in their last two outings, the W.S. Neal Lady Eagles mounted gallant comebacks that ended just short.
As the Lady Eagles prepare for the Jan. 7 opening round of the Area-1 tournament at T.R. Miller High School, their season record stands at 3-17.
Flomaton 44, Lady Eagles 30
The Lady Eagles made the short trip to Flomaton for a Jan. 30 battle with the Flomaton Lady Hurricanes.
The Lady Hurricanes scored the game's first 14 points before Neal regrouped and began playing the hosts evenly. However, the comeback effort was not enough to offset the slow start, as Flomaton held onto the 14-point lead and notched a 44-30 win.
Flomaton (15-8) pretty much had its way in the opening period. With the Lady Eagles' offense having problems getting on track, the Lady Hurricanes ended the opening period with a tight 10-0 grip on the lead.
The Lady Hurricanes scored the first four points of the second period to pad their cushion to 14-0 before Neal's offense came alive. Playing Flomaton virtually evenly the remainder of the half, the Lady Eagles entered the break down 23-8.
Although the Lady Eagles made a couple of runs that reduced the lead in the second half, Flomaton did what was necessary to seal the win. Leading 37-19 at the end of the third quarter, the Lady Hurricanes kept the Lady Eagles at bay in posting a 14-point victory.
Ashley Bailey's 10 points led the Lady Eagles' offensive efforts.
Northview 68, Lady Eagles 64
When they hosted the Northview Lady Chiefs on Jan. 31, the Lady Eagles faced a 16-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. An all-out effort on the defensive end of the floor, however, was responsible for a furious final-quarter Neal comeback.
Following an opening period in which they trailed 17-16, the Lady Eagles found themselves facing a 15-point deficit at intermission, 39-24.
Northview maintained a seemingly comfortable 54-38 advantage as the third period came to a close, but the Lady Eagles were about to embark on a fourth-quarter defensive frenzy that seriously threatened the lead.
With full-court pressure defense that caused repeated Lady Chief turnovers, Neal had a chance to pull off an amazing comeback. But, although outscoring Northview 26-14 over the last eight minutes of the game, the Lady Eagles' rally proved to be too little, too late. Northview was able to survive the scare and escape with a 68-64 win.
Leading scorers for the Lady Eagles were Carolyn Marshall, 14 points; Tikeria Matthews, 11 points; Mayisha Brown, 10 points and Ashley Bailey, 10 points.