A strong performance from Maggie Ledford, helped the Fannin County Lady Rebels basketball team defeat Christian Heritage, 68-53, Wednesday, January 22. Ledford scored 21 points to lead the way for the Lady Rebels.
The Lady Rebels went on a 16-point run to start the game against the Lady Lions.
Reese Lewis scored Fannin’s first two points off the opening tipoff, added two more on the next possession and then Ledford began her game high total to give the Lady Rebels a 6-0 lead.
By the time Fannin’s initial offensive explosion was over, the Lady Rebels had outscored Christian Heritage 20-8 with Lewis scoring 10 of those points.
Then the visitors to the Fannin County High School gym began charging back.
Christian Heritage closed the gap to 28-24 with 1:26 to go in the half before Ledford put Fannin back up 30-24. A three pointer with 25 seconds left in the half closed the gap to 30-27 at the buzzer.
Ledford got the offense back on track in the third, hitting a pair of early layups to put Fannin up 34-27.
As the quarter progressed, the visitors fought back to within four at 42-39. Then Callie Ensley drained a long three from the corner to put Fannin ahead 45-39 as the quarter wrapped up.
A three-pointer from senior Emma Buchanan opened the final eight minutes to put Fannin up 48-39, then she hit a layup and another two point shot to give Fannin a 52-39 advantage.
Fannin then dominated the rest of the quarter for the 68-53 win.
As a team, Fannin played steady defensively, blocking nine shots and grabbing 12 steals. The Lady Rebels rebounded the ball well, collecting 40 rebounds. Emma Holloway led the team with eight. Callie Ensley knocked down three shots from beyond the arc.
The Lady Rebels also passed the ball well with 16 assists on 26 made baskets.
Lady Rebels putting points on the board behind Ledford’s 21 were Buchanan with 13 points, Lewis putting up 12 points, Ensley with nine points, Avi Ethington adding five points, Izzie Jabaley scoring four points and Toccoa Hampton and Holloway each scoring two points.