OSMS splits with Coalfield

The Oliver Springs Middle School Lady Bobcats used 15 points from Sarah Channell to help guide them to a thrilling 42-39 triumph Monday evening over the Coalfield Lady Jackets. 

Both teams would exit the opening period tied at 14-14, but it was Coalfield taking the 21-20 halftime edge. 

A 9-2 swing gave the Lady 'Cats a seven point lead before the Lady Jackets whittled that deficit down to 30-27. 

Coalfield would battle ferociously in the final stanza, but the Lady 'Cats would rue this night with the 42-39 win. 

Oliver Springs had a 36-29 edge on the boards and a 12-6 tilt in turnovers. 

Oliver Springs was led by Channell (15 points), Morgan Hackworth (9 points), and Alivia Baker (6 points) with Ashley Armstrong (13 boards), Alyssa Suttles (6 boards), and Brooklyn Jones (5 boards) also playing well. 

Coalfield was led by the tag team of Kaylea Foster (18 points, 15 boards) and Taylor Bird (16 points, 7 boards, 5 assists).

Coalfield (39) Foster 18, Bird 16, Godwin 4, Patterson 1.

Oliver Springs (42) Channell 15, Hackworth 9, Baker 6, Jones 5, Armstrong 4, McDonald 2, Suttles 1.

Boys Game

The Yellow Jackets used a swarming defense and a 19-point outing from Parker McKinney to take a 42-32 win Monday night over Oliver Springs, spoiling 8th grade night in the process. 

In the opening period Coalfield started off running wild like "Hulkamania" to go on an 11-0 run before the 'Cats clawed their way back into contention with a 7-0 tilt to close out the opening period. 

Coalfield used a 14-3 surge at one point in period number two to get out to a 25-14 lead going to the locker room at halftime. 

In period number three, that lead was extended to 35-19 before Oliver Springs narrowed the gap at the end down to 42-32. 

Oliver Springs had a 30-24 edge on the boards, but gave up a 13-6 tilt in team steals. 

McKinney (19 points, 6 assists) and Austin Russell (11 points, 8 boards) led the Jackets in scoring. 

Adam Carroll (9 points, 5 steals) and Jeremiah Johnson (6 points, 6 boards) led the 'Cats in scoring.

Both teams are now focusing on postseason play. Coalfield is hosting the Area 4-A Tournament that starts Saturday while Oliver Springs will host the Area 4-AA Tournament starting Tuesday.

Coalfield (42) McKinney 19, Russell 11, Kelly 4, Keathley 4, Osbourne 2, Margas 2.

 Oliver Springs (32) Carroll 9, Johnson 6, Madewell 4, Grace 3, Everett 3, Andrews 3, French 2, Gaylor 2.