A work in progress: Lady Tigers pick up fourth win of the season

The Commerce girls’ basketball team picked up a win on Tuesday, Jan. 8, when the Tigers defeated Pinecrest Academy.

The Lady Tigers jumped out to a commanding 16-5 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Commerce went on to outscore the Paladins in every quarter, sealing a 53-26 victory.

McClaine Martin led scoring with 16 points, including five three-pointers. Bridgett Barnett added 12 points.

“I think we are playing with more effort,” said Tiger head coach Rex Gregg. “We just have to cut out a few problems and learn how to win.”

The Lady Tigers did not fare as well in their other two contests last week.

Friday, Commerce lost to Prince Avenue Christian 42-32.

Lily Mather led scoring with eight points, while Martin had seven.

The Lady Tigers hosted Providence Christian on Saturday, and were defeated by a slim margin of 32-27.

Barnett led the Tigers with six points and Mather racked up 14 rebounds.

“Turnovers were a big problem on Friday and Saturday night,” said Gregg. “It just demolished us. Shooting has got a little better, but we still need to work on the turnovers.”

While Gregg says he is proud of the way his team has been playing, he is disappointed in their two most recent losses.

“I thought the Pinecrest game was going to really help down the stretch, and if we won that game, we could go on a little run down the stretch,” he said. “I guess I was wrong. I thought we were as good or better than both of those teams.”

Gregg did note some positives in the play of several Lady Tigers in the last few games.

“McClaine Martin has been playing really well,” he said. “People are kind of realizing that she is one of our best outside threats. Lily Mather has been terrific with rebounds and is averaging 12 per game. Libbi Lance has come up and started the last couple of games. For a freshman, she is performing very well.”

Martin recently tied the school record for number of three-pointers in a single game, draining seven against Towns County.

The Lady Tigers defeated Athens Christian 33-19 on Tuesday.

Libbi Lance led scoring with 15 points and Lily Mather came down with 15 rebounds.

Commerce will travel to Athens Academy on Friday, Jan. 18, to take on the Spartans at 7 p.m.