Licking Heights dominates with defense in 59-19 win over Franklin Heights

Photo by John Suchan

To start a basketball game by shutting out your opponent in the first quarter is the best way to get the game off on the right foot and that’s exactly what the Licking Heights girls basketball team did when they battled the Franklin Heights Falcons Tuesday evening. The Hornets of Licking Heights won the contest 59-19 and it all started with that impressive 14-0 lead by the end of the quarter.

This gives Licking Heights two early wins on the season and has the team looking forward to a good season.

The Hornets coach Evelyn Woods again went with a young lineup and that’s another strength of her team. In the battle with Franklin Heights, Hornet’s sophomore Karsyn Johnson was big part of the start contributing 15 points by halftime. She finished with 17 points. She was gobbling up rebounds and scoring some buckets on transition layups.

Layla Booth, the Licking Heights lone freshman scored 13 points. She was battling all night for boards and her ability to score from all parts of the floor makes her an opponent’s worst nightmare. Another sophomore Kendyl Hunt added six points and was a menace defensively causing turnovers and pushing the early game tempo.

This team also has key leadership in two juniors Symaya McDougall and Tori Diggs along with their senior starter Emily McCord. All three contributed with points, solid defense, and hustle on the court throughout the evening. McCord had a few put-backs on offensive rebounds that added seven points. Diggs tried a few three-pointers and got one to drop. She also added a nice traditional three-point play in the second half and finished with six points.

Rounding out the scoring column included Tori Hill with six points, Janessa Hughes with two points, and Shavona Little with two points.

Next up for the Hornets will be a road trip to play KIPP over in Columbus Friday Night, December 1st.

In the JV game, the Hornets got things started fast and raced to a quick lead and went onto to beat the Franklin Heights Falcons 40-20. Licking Heights went up 16-5 at the end of the first quarter. It was 24-9 at halftime. Nine players for the Hornets scored buckets and that’s a well-rounded effort by the team. Both Tori Hill and Darianna Barnes added eight points apiece. Janessa Hughes and Mariah Waters added four points each. Allaila Thompson pitched in seven points. Sabrina Bauer,  Brooklyn Hall, Victoria Harvey, and Evelyn Caruso all added points too.