[Stardust]

With the most important game on their schedule set to take place tonight, the Murray High Lady Tigers had some business to take care of first yesterday, dispatching First Region visitor Hickman County 66-21 on homecoming in Tiger Gym.
After tipping off just shy of 8 p.m., the game was largely over just minutes later as the Lady Tigers exploded past the Lady Falcons from the opening whistle to push their lead to 21 before six minutes had passed.
From there, Murray head coach Rechelle Turner would insert the substitutes and coast to an easy win with lead ballooning to as much as 47 midway through the second half.
Though the play on the court was largely uneventful due to the large lead throughout the game, Turner said games like last night are good for her team. With a game like Marshall County looming, being able to enjoy the homecoming festivities was nice.
“In games like (last night), you just have to have a good time and play with confidence,” she said. “Every once and a while it's nice to have a game where you just go out and the kids play, enjoy themselves and smile and have a good time playing together. Our schedule hasn't had a whole lot of those so it's nice to be able to do that on homecoming. All in all, I think that was good for us and now we have to refocus and get back to business and getting ready for our district game.”
Still, that doesn’t mean there weren’t memorable moments to last night.
Making her first career start, sophomore guard Christina Duncan made the most of the opportunity, harassing the Lady Falcons on the defensive end and chipping in eight points as well.
That effort, Turner said, is just one of the many things Duncan provides to the team.
“Christina brings a lot of energy and a lot of excitement,” Turner said. “She's going to work hard and isn't going to quit on any play. With her speed and athleticism, she can make things happen.
“She earned (the time she got last night) in the Calloway game, coming off the bench and giving the effort she gave. She's also earned that time in practice this week. Right now we're all about accountability and when you're doing your job and working hard, you'll be on the floor. When you're not, we're going to see who else can come in and maybe take a spot.”
Now that they do settle in and begin to prepare for the final push in the district race though, the offensive woes the Lady Tigers have faced of late loom large.
That said, Turner noted that games like Friday can go a long way in helping to restore confidence.
That doesn’t mean they’re ready to take it easy on the defensive end though.
“A night like (last night) builds confidence in being able to make shots,” she said. “Offensively we have struggled, but we've talked and the two things you can control is your attitude and your effort. Our effort on defense will have to be able to stand up every single night and take care of business when the shots don't go in.”
They’ll get their biggest test today as Marshall County waits for them in a 7:30 tilt.
http://murrayledger.com/sports/high_scho...963f4.html

[Stardust]

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