By RAY BENTONLeader sports editor
The Cabot Lady Panthers picked up another win on Friday, going on the road and beating Sheridan 50-32 with an impressive defensive performance. Cabot forced 29 Yellowjacket turnovers, 20 of which were steals. Sheridan scored in double figures in just one of the three quarters and was held to just 9 of 38 shooting from the floor.
Sophomore point guard Leighton Taylor led the way defensively with seven steals. Cabot won the opening tip and showed good patience with the ball. CoCo Calhoon got an open look underneath after a nice pass from Danielle McWilliams for the opening score of the game. Taylor then got her first steal and dished to Calhoon for another quick bucket. Cabot’s Anna Sullivan scored the next four points and Alyssa Hamilton added a bucket to make it 10-0 before Sheridan could get on the scoreboard.
Once they did, the Yellowjackets responded with a 9-0 run that cut the margin to one point, but could never take the lead.
Sullivan ended Cabot’s drought with a short jumper and Sheridan answered right back with two free throws, but the Lady Panthers put together another 8-0 run, including six by Sullivan. That gave Cabot a 20-11 lead halfway through the second period, and the margin reached as much as 28-15 before halftime. Sheridan scored the last four points of the second quarter and closed to within 29-21 early in the third, but couldn’t contend with the Lady Panthers’ pressure. Cabot got no more big runs, but slowly pulled away and assumed command of the game.
Sullivan led Cabot with 12 points while Calhoon and Hamilton each added 10 for the Panthers. Kadesha Cooper was the only Lady Yellowjacket to score in double figures, finishing with 17 points.
Sheridan won the rebounding battle 27-22, but Cabot made 47 percent from the floor on 23 of 50 shooting. The Lady Panthers were abysmal from the foul line, however, making just 2 of 12 attempts for 17 percent while Sheridan hit 12 of 18.
Cabot opens play in the Pre-Holiday Classic at Panther Arena on Thursday. The Lady Panthers will play the third game of the day at 7 p.m. against Vilonia. The tournament begins at 4 p.m. with the Benton girls taking on Nemo Vista, followed by the Benton boys taking on Catholic. The Cabot boys will close the evening at approximately 8:30 against Vilonia.
