Stone Memorial girls take down Heritage, Grace

The Stone Memorial Lady Panthers are on a hot streak.

Coach Mike Buck has them playing well on defense, highlighted by a smothering press that is averaging at least 20 points off opponent turnovers. And offensively, Stone is putting up 70 shots per game. It is like playing in a tornado.

The Lady Panthers picked up two more wins this past weekend when they won the Thanksgiving Basketball Classic at Heritage High School in Maryville. They knocked off defending state champion Heritage High School 67-48 before slipping by Grace Christian 53-49 in the finale.

Against Heritage, Stone Memorial jumped out to an early lead. However, Heritage came fighting back and led SMHS 13-12 after one period

The back and forth competition continued in the second quarter. Baskets by Ella Jane May and Lauren Clark helped the Lady Panthers to a 23-22 advantage as the teams left the floor at halftime.

Stone’s pressing defense picked up the pressure in the third quarter, getting several baskets off turnovers. Buckets by Ashley Whittenburg and Lexi Clark helped the Lady Panthers push their advantage to 52-40 after three quarters of play.

Heritage could manage only eight points in the fourth period, helping post the final 67-48 margin.

Whittenburg set the pace for Stone Memorial with 19 points. Lauren Clark added 15 points, while May had 13 and Lexi Clark tallied 12. Bella Wyatt added six and Caitlyn Smith contributed two.

Lexi Tipton led Heritage with 17 points, and Kenley Coker added 10.

Late charge helps Stone

beat Grace, 63-49

Stone Memorial kept pace with Grace Christian throughout third periods of play in Maryville.

Bella Wyatt and Ashley Whittenburg got things going for Stone Memorial, helping the Lady Panthers to a 17-17 tie at the end of the first period.

The back and forth action continued in the second period. Grace got out in front by three points, but baskets by Lauren Clark and Brooklyn Lane helped SMHS come fighting back and head into halftime locked up at 27 each.

Both teams’ offenses kept action flowing in the third period. Buckets by Taylor Amos, Lexi Clark and Ella Jane May kept pace with Grace Christian and the score was tied at 41 heading into the fourth quarter.

Stone Memorial pulled away in the fourth period, outscoring Grace 22-18 in the final eight minutes to post the final 63-59 final margin.

Wyatt led the way with 21 points for Stone. Lexi Clark and Whittenburg scored 13 points each. Lauren Clark and Lane scored five points each. May added four and Amos contributed two.

Abby Roberts led Grace Christian with 27 points, while Nya Burris had 23.

Stone will be back in action Dec. 4 when it plays host to Clarkrange. The girls game is set to begin at 6 p.m.