The Marshall County Tigerettes played well for about 10 minutes in Monday night's season opener in Lewisburg before succumbing 60-32 versus a tough Lincoln County squad.

"When we were setting up the schedule this year we knew Lincoln County was going to be a tough game," said MCHS head coach David Junkins. "We did some good things, even though it didn't show on the scoreboard."

The Tigerettes have now lost seven straight to Lincoln County, dating back to Dec. 1, 2009.

Focused early

The young, inexperienced Tigerettes came out very sharp as Kiya Morris put the hometown girls up 2-0 before a McKinley Fitch three-pointer gave the Lady Falcons a one-point lead.

There was no scoring for several minutes until Tigerette freshman point guard Zachuriya O'Neal and Lady Falcon forward Bethaney Lomas traded baskets.

After another series of unsuccessful trips down the floor for both sides, Lauren Gower buried a three-pointer to give Lincoln County an 8-4 lead.

Allison Hargrove made one of two from the free throw line for MCHS, but a Samantha Williams bucket in the paint put the Lady Falcons in front 10-5.

'Bright spot'

"In that first quarter we played some solid ball and showed some composure," said Junkins. "I think that was bright spot for us and we got some kids that were doing a great job and knew exactly what their role was and what they wanted to do."

With just a few ticks remaining in the first quarter, Tigerette freshman Britni Davis banged in a rebound to cut the Lady Falcons' lead to 10-7 after the first eight minutes.

Morgan Hopkins scored for Lincoln County to start the second quarter, but back-to-back MCHS baskets by Ti Lee and O'Neal sliced the Lincoln County lead to a single digit at 12-11.

From there, the Lady Falcons flew high above the Tigerettes, soaring off to a 24-0 run that lasted almost midway into the third quarter.

By the time Hargrove nailed a three-pointer with 4:41 remaining in the third period, MCHS was mired in a deep 36-14 hole.

Pressure

"I think the score was 11-12 at one point and then the next thing I know, we are 30 points down," said Junkins. "We had some turnovers and we know we will see that pressing versus Cascade, Pulaski, and some others this year, so this should get us ready, playing Lincoln County and Columbia on back-to-to back nights."

Marshall County trailed 48-17, entering the fourth quarter, but outscored Lincoln County 15-12 in the period, hustling and fighting to the end of the 28-point loss.

Morris and Hargrove led the Tigerettes in the scoring column with nine points apiece, while O'Neal tallied eight, and Lee, Tianda Hutton, and Davis all ended up with a deuce.

Loss to Columbia

On Tuesday night in Lewisburg, the Tigerettes lost 67-40 to the Columbia Central Lady Lions.

Morris netted a team-high 17 points versus Central, while Columbia's Keiana Gilbert led all scorers with 20 points.

The Tigerettes travel to Culleoka on Thursday and Murfreesboro Central Magnet School next Wednesday, before participating in the Forrest Thanksgiving Tournament on Nov. 27, 29, and 30.