Positive signs for Lady Horns in Hardee's Classic

Johnson County's rocky start wasn't smoothed significantly during an 0-3 showing in the Hardee's Classic, but there were signs of life. Sophomore Audrey Shaw scored 20 points in a 47-42 loss to Providence Academy on Saturday at David Crockett, which was nine points more than the entire team scored in a season-opening 28-11 loss to the same team nine days earlier. Johnson County (0-5) also created cause for optimism with an impressive first half against talented Volunteer on Friday at Crockett. The Longhorns led for much of the first half, including a 24-22 advantage when Mackenzie McClain scored inside on a leaner near the right block with 1:47 left in the first half. But after trailing 32-28 at intermission, Johnson County was held to seven points in the second half of a 70-35 loss. "I think we ran out of gas a little bit in the second half," Johnson County coach Mark McClain said. "Some of those shots that were going in didn't fall in the second half. And I felt like they shot the lights out of it in the second half. I don't know how many threes Volunteer made, but it felt like a bunch. … "And when we struggle to score, it seems like our defense falters a little bit, too. And that's not a good combination." The 'Horns have endured several tough matchups right out of the gate, including back-to-back games against Cocke County, arguably one of the best Class 3A teams in the state. After routing Johnson County at Daniel Boone on Nov. 21, Cocke County roughed it up again, 62-13, three days later in the opening round of the Hardee's Classic. The silver lining might be tough to detect while on the wrong side of lopsided scoreboards, but playing quality opponents should pay off eventually. "I think they will help," Coach McClain said. "Cocke County's one of the best teams around. I think Volunteer's gonna have a good team." Shaw, an inside-out threat, scored 11 of her 16 points in the first half against Volunteer. She scored 15 of her 20 in the first half against Providence Academy on Friday. McClain and Abby Dickens added nine and seven points, respectively, against the Knights. Scoring 42 points against the team that'd held the Longhorns to 11 nine days earlier was a positive sign. "I told them I think we'd gotten away from having fun playing basketball," McClain said. "It looked like it was hard and a chore, like they weren't enjoying it. We're trying to get back to that." The going remains rough for Johnson County. Tuesday, it was to visit Elizabethton for a non-conference game. The Cyclones' 3-2 start includes a double-digit win against Dobyns-Bennett and a respectable 53-43 loss to Cocke County. "It doesn't get any easier," McClain said. The Longhorns are scheduled to visit Gate City (Va.) on Thursday and host Unaka in the home opener on Friday. "We're at the point now where we probably need a good week or week and a half of good, solid practices, and get some habits fixed," McClain said. "I think we'll be alright."