A hostile environment didn’t phase the Stone Memorial High School Panthers Friday night as they defeated Macon County 70-52. This victory follows the season-opening 72-33 blowout victory at Smith County on Tuesday.
“Macon County is a really hard venue to come play,” said SMHS head coach Neil Capps following the victory. “There’s a lot of tradition up here. Coach (Jason) Welch does a great job. We were able to kind of wear on them. We made our adjustments and the kids played really hard. It was a great team effort, had a lot of kids really step up tonight.”
Stone Memorial was hot from the opening tip as junior guard Zach Street hit two three-pointers early in the opening period on the way to an 11-4 lead. Macon County was able to trim the lead to one point before the Panthers scored the final two baskets of the period, including a buzzer-beater by Chris Coudriet to make it 19-15.
Stone Memorial pulled away in the second period, going ahead 37-26 at halftime. Street added two more three-pointers in the quarter along with a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line by senior Brett Newcome.
SMHS held a 49-41 lead going into the final quarter. Macon County cut the SMHS lead to seven points early in the frame before the Panther offense went to another level to run away with the 70-52 victory. SMHS outscored Macon County 21-11 in the final eight minutes.
“We starting turning better defensively,” Capps said of the fourth quarter. “We were able to wear on them and get some easy baskets late, as well.”
Balanced scoring is an understatement for the Panther offense against MCHS. Newcome ended the night as the high scorer with 16 points, followed by Street with 15 on five three-pointers and 14 from senior Justin Headrick.
The Panthers will welcome their toughest test of the season Tuesday as Riverdale will travel to Crossville with the girls tipping off at 6 p.m.
Stone Memorial (70): Brett Newcome 16, Zach Street 15, Justin Headrick 14, Jack Eldridge 8, Kaleb McCoy 8, Zach Boyd 2, Mason Cox 2
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