The Independence Lady Patriots basketball team took part in the Leroy Holden Classic tournament hosted by North Mecklenburg High School.
Friday’s Game
Independence 50, Central Cabarrus 45
On Friday afternoon the Lady Patriots traveled to North Mecklenburg High School to take part in the Leroy Holden Classic basketball tournament. The Lady Patriots faced off against the Lady Vikings from Central Cabarrus High School.
Indy took at 50-45 victory over Central Cabarrus to improve their record to 3-1 and go over .500 for the first time since the 2008 season. Freshman Braylyn Milton led the Lady Patriots scoring 19 points. She grabbed 8 rebounds, had 6 steals and 2 assists.
The Lady Patriots jumped out to a 12-8 first quarter lead while Central Cabarrus outscored Indy 16 to 12 in the second period to tie the score 24-24 at the end of the first half.
In the third quarter both teams scored 13 points. The Lady Patriots hit three 3-point basket in the the quarter. Braylyn Milton had two of the 3-pointers plus a two point basket. Brianna Milton added the third 3-pointer, and Sharonda Smith scored two as both teams ended the quarter tied at 37 each.
Tournament held at North Mecklenburg. Indy won the game 50-45. (Ron Morris)
Indy stepped up its defense in the final stanza and outscored Central Cabarrus by five points 13-8. Brianna McManus and Braylyn Milton led the fourth quarter scoring with four points each as the Lady Patriots took a 50-45 win over Central Cabarrus to move into the championship game.
Scoring for Lady Patriots were Braylyn Milton 19, Ayanna Anderson 9, Sharonda Smith 8, Brianna McManus 7, Aaliyah Lowery and Alejandra Picon with 2 points each.
Saturday’s Game
Independence 50, North Mecklenburg 77
In Saturday’s championship game the Lady Patriots lost to North Mecklenburg by a score of 77-50.
The Lady Vikings jumped out to a 24-11 first quarter lead and never looked back as their full court pressure was just too much for the young Indy team to overcome.
Sharonda Smith led the Lady Patriots with 20 points. Braylyn Milton followed with 10,. Ayanna Anderson and Laura Flynn had 7 points each. Aaliyah Lowery added 4 points and Brianna Grant finished the night with 2 points.
The highlight of Saturday’s game was Indy’s Sharonda Smith and Braylyn Milton being named to the all tournament team.
