By Erik Harris
CLAY – It’s only mid-December, but there’s no question that Class 6A, Area 12 is Clay-Chalkville’s to lose.
The No. 3 Lady Cougars handled Pinson Valley, 48-36, at home Tuesday night to secure a 2-0 area record. With the loss, the Lady Indians drop to 0-2 in league action.
Head coach Justin Haynie’s team had to find the win without their top player Kristian Hudson, who was ejected after a questionable double technical foul late in the second quarter with Clay-Chalkville (12-2) leading 20-13.
“I was proud of the rest of the team,” Haynie said. “They all came out and played hard, responded in the second half.”
Without Hudson the hosts lost some spark, but still managed to get to the half leading 25-14.
The Lady Indians showed fight in the second half, but could never take control. Senior Alex Lowery got hot for 13 second-half points. She knocked down a pair of deep balls and helped her team get to within nine with 3:23 remaining.
“They’re a good team, they went on a little bit of a run, but we were able to pull it out,” Haynie said.
Lady Cougars forward T.J. Thomas made 2-of-2 from the charity stripe along with a bucket from the paint in the final minutes that helped the hosts retake control.
Point guard Raven Omar led Clay-Chalkville with 12 points. Thomas pitched in with nine of her own.