Falling to Springfield in Tuesday's season opener, the Lady War Eagles made up for it on Friday night (Photo: The Post)
The Sycamore Lady War Eagles began their 2022-23 season with a matchup in an away game against the Springfield Yellowjackets on November 15.
While the ladies were back-and-forth most of the game, the Lady War Eagles were unable to regain their footing after some fourth-quarter woes. Despite playing hard until the bitter end, the varsity Lady War Eagles fell to the Yellowjackets 67-63.
Junior Izzy McPherson brought her A-game, putting up a whopping 33 points. McPherson also topped the team with two blocks; she and sophomore Persia Bishop each contributed three defensive rebounds.
McKinleigh Young, senior, led the team in assists with six; senior Bailey Waller boasted six offensive rebounds and two steals to round off her 12 point-game. Senior Kyra Shearon snagged two offensive rebounds, one defensive rebound, and one steal to add to her 11-point performance.
"The first game of the year is always difficult to prepare for," says Sycamore Head Coach Cody King. "We had an idea of what we would see, but it essentially comes down to executing, and they finished better than we did. Credit to them because they made a lot of shots and hit free throws in the second half and it seemed like every time we would make a run, they would answer. Hate to lose, don't expect to lose, but a lot of teachable moments in the game and things that we can clean up."
Fresh into their season, the Lady War Eagles got their first win on Friday evening (Photo:The Post)
In their home-court debut on Friday night, November 18, Sycamore played a seemingly effortless game against Clarksville's West Creek High School.
The Coyotes were certainly no match for the War Eagles' talent, as Sycamore prevailed, 59-45.
"We weren't shooting particularly well early, but I loved how we played pressure defense, created turnovers, and ran the floor," King says. "We had a couple of quarters where we played up-tempo, fun basketball. It is also great to get to play a lot of girls, especially in pressure situations. West Creek is an athletic team that ran a solid press in the second half."
McPherson finished out the evening with 21 points, three steals, two blocks, and a combined four rebounds. Right behind her, sophomore Anna Knight contributed nine points, four total rebounds, and a block. Shearon added seven points and two steals to round off the team's success.
The War Eagles cheerleaders were back in action on Friday night (Photo:The Post)
"As a whole, we had a solid opening week," King says. "It is a long season, and we are still trying to figure out rotations, roles and are still shaping an identity."
"Looking ahead, this is a team that returns the majority of the group that won 21 games last year, including district MVP Izzy McPherson, and all-district selections Kyra Shearon and McKinleigh Young," King adds. "We also have a talented group of freshman joining the program. Basketball talent aside, this is a great group of girls. They excel in the classroom and are active leaders in their school and community. We are anticipating a fun and successful season."
On Tuesday, November 22, the team will hit the road once again to face Hume-Fogg in their lone game of the holiday week.
