Lady Jaguars earn fourth victory of season with 52-32 win over Williamsburg

The Lady Jaguars won their fourth game of the year with a 52-32 blowout of Williamsburg on Saturday afternoon — East (4-2) won only three games all of last season.

Following back-to-back losses, East got back to the style of play that led to its first three wins. The Lady Jags played tight defense and caused turnovers that led to easy baskets in transition.

“Any time our defense is on we are going to generate quite a bit (on offense),” East Jessamine coach Jacqueline Coleman said. “I thought we did a better job today than we have lately, so we’re kind of getting back to where we need to be.”

East had 10 players score at least two points, and senior Maddie Haney led the way with 10.

Heather Welch had the hot hand early on as she scored six of the team’s first 12 points as East jumped out to a 12-2 lead. East’s defense held Williamsburg to just 12 points in the first half and took a 35-12 advantage into the locker room. Welch and Sarah Rainwater each had six points at halftime.

At halftime, nine Lady Jags had already scored — most of whom had three to six points each.

“That’s what I really like because then it becomes much more difficult for teams to stop us,” Coleman said. “They’re starting to learn how to play together.”

East’s offense slowed a bit in the third quarter, scoring only 11 points and going long stretches without a basket. However, the defense held tough and helped the Lady Jags to a 46-21 lead going into the fourth quarter.

With mostly reserves on the court for the final eight minutes of the game, East handed the Lady Jackets their sixth loss of the season.

Welch finished with eight points.

East held its opponent to 35 points or fewer for the third time this season.

The Lady Jaguars lost to Mercer County 67-31 Friday night.

East will travel to Jackson County (2-11) on Thursday at 5 p.m. and return home Friday to face Williamstown (3-5) at 6 p.m.