Strong second half propels Lady Vols over Prescott 53-37

PRESCOTT – The 14th-ranked Lee Williams High School girls basketball team rebounded from their recent loss to Bradshaw Mountain by traveling to Prescott and defeating the Lady Badgers 53-37 in an important region game on Friday, Jan. 27.

It was the Volunteers third game of the week and an important region win as they continue to fight for a home game in the state Class 4A playoffs.

However, the Volunteers got off to a slow start and found themselves fighting just to keep pace with Prescott. Good outside shooting by freshman Addie Priciandaro and junior Taliyah Crook, who combined for three three-pointers in the first quarter, helped Lee Williams stay close.

In the second quarter, senior Rebecca Arave helped pace the Lady Vols with two buckets in the post and pulled the team within two at the half with Prescott leading 23-21.

In the third quarter the teams battled back and forth and the score remained close.

But midway through the frame Lee Williams found another gear on both ends of the floor.

On offense, senior Victoria Gravell found her range and hit three big three-pointers to lift the Lady Volunteers.

"Toria got hot," said Lee Williams coach Jerry Arave, "and the team did a very good job finding her." The Lady Vols also tightened up their defense and held Prescott to just four points in the quarter to take a 36-25 lead after three quarters.

Prescott made a run to cut the lead to six with just over four minutes to play, but Lee Williams then got several defensive stops which led to some easy fast break points.

"Our bigs did a great job clearing the boards and hitting our guards who were pushing the ball up the court to get us some easy baskets,” Arave said.

Lee Williams effectively stopped Prescott's run and went away with a 16-point win.

Lee Williams’ Prisciandaro led all scorers with 17 points followed by Gravel, who added 14.

Arave recorded her third double-double in as many games with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lady Vols play their final home game on Senior Night on Monday, Jan. 30.