For a young Signal Mountain girls' basketball team, sometimes the best lesson is to play to its strengths.
The Lady Eagles used their size advantage to outscore GPS 32-4 in the paint in a 45-27 victory Thursday in the opening game of the Best of Preps Tournament at Chattanooga State.
"We talk more about doing what we're capable of doing more than we do about winning and losing," Signal Mountain coach Kendra Bell said. "We did not play well at all today. My team is young, and we're still trying to figure out how to play hard and smart, and today you saw both, which is what young teams do.
"In the end, I just think we were bigger and finally took advantage of it."
The Lady Eagles (9-8) didn't put their advantage to use early against the Bruisers (6-5), going 0-for-7 from behind the arc in the first quarter as they led just 8-7 at the end of the period.
The second quarter was a different story, however, as Signal Mountain worked the ball inside, outscoring GPS 17-9 on its way to a nine-point halftime lead.
The Lady Eagles were paced by Julie McGann, who finished with a game-high 11 points.
"The main thing that we have to do better is that we have to find a way, if we don't box out, to go get the ball," GPS coach Janna Eichelberger said. "We have to get better at limiting our turnovers and rebounding the ball. Signal Mountain matches up with the teams we'll see in our district, which will help us down the road."
After a sluggish third quarter in which the teams combined for 11 points, the Lady Eagles once again pounded the ball inside and dominated the offensive glass in the final period. Olivia Koontz scored eight of her 10 points in the quarter as Signal Mountain pulled away for the victory.
Hannah Sanders led the Bruisers with seven points.
Signal Mountain will face East Hamilton in a semifinal set for 4 p.m. today. GPS will take on Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe in a consolation game at 10 a.m.
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com.