By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Lady Panther basketball team controlled most of the action Thursday in its Arkansas Activities Association benefit game against Lake Hamilton. In a format in which the scoreboard was reset after each quarter, the Cabot ladies won three of the four quarters and compiled a point advantage totaling 52-32.
The Lady Wolves outscored Cabot 12-8 in the third quarter, but was playing its starters against Cabot’s second and third-team players.
The Lady Panthers owned a 44-20 advantage in the other three periods combined.
Cabot coach Carla Crowder saw areas that need improvement, but liked what she saw from her young team in its first live action of the season.
“We have a lot of young players without much experience,” Crowder said. “So this game helped us a lot to see where we’re at and where we need to be.”
Three players finished in double figures, including the two returning starters from last year’s state championship team. Post player Elliot Taylor led the team with 14 points. Point guard Jaylin Bridges scored 10 points on four of six shooting, including two three-pointers.
First-year starter Alyssa Hamilton dropped in 11 points for the Lady Panthers.
“I thought Jaylin played really well and I thought three of our bench players did really well,” Crowder said. “We’re just trying to get everyone better. Every phase of the game you’ve got to keep working on and improving. This team works hard to so I feel like we’ll get better. I was pleased with the effort.”
