New faces stepping up for Cannon girls

By TONY STINNETT Courier Sports Editor

Lionettes Head Coach Michael Dodgen knew what to expect from mainstays Abbey Sissom, Madison Walkup, Rebekah Faulkner and Macy Clements heading into the 2013-14 season.

The unknown would also be important.

Players such as Kellie Davis, Autumn King, Kendra Maynard and Erin McReynolds will have a more dynamic role this season, and senior Taylor Warren also will be counted on inside.

They have accepted the challenge and played well early, including a 76-42 whipping of Coffee County at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium (Nov. 21).

Sissom led all scorers with 24 points to go with four assists and two steals, and Walkup added 13 points, eight rebounds, four steals and four assists.

Faulkner was also outstanding with nine points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

“Going into the season I knew what to expect from those four with the most experience,” Dodgen said. “We have to have others step up and most of those have mainly played a lot of JV minutes but not as much varsity. They have played well early and now they are starting to become more comfortable.”

Davis and McReynolds contributed six points each for the Lionettes and King tallied four in the win against Coffee County.

The Lionettes were never really threatened in the game. They led 37-19 at the half and stretched the advantage to 59-28 by the end of the third quarter.

The Lionettes, which had not shot well from the free-throw line in two previous games, were 21-of-27 from the line, including an 11-of-11 shooting display by Sissom.

They limited the visitors to 15 total field goals.

Cannon County will look to remain undefeated when they play host to Warren County Tuesday at 6 p.m.