Columbus North’s Miley McClellan drives against Martinsville’s Trinity Jones Nov. 10 at Columbus North.
The Republic file photo
A Columbus North team that has gotten on a roll and a Columbus East team that has played well in spurts will square off in a girls basketball battle Thursday at North.
The Bull Dogs have won eight in a row following an 0-2 start. The Olympians are 3-9, but one of their wins came against a solid Floyd Central team last week.
“I feel like we’re making improvements in different areas,” North coach Brett White said. “I feel like we’re doing a better job of executing things offensively. Our defense has improved, especially in the full-court, and as we’ve gotten these wins, we’ve gained a little more confidence, as well.”
The teams have played two common opponents. North lost to Mooresville by 11, and East lost to Mooresville by 24. The Olympians won by 11 at East Central, and the Bull Dogs won by 10 at East Central.
Freshman point guard Kaylie Harmon leads North with 13.8 points and 2.3 assists a a game. Sophomore forward Miley McClellan adds 9.9 points and leads the Bull Dogs with 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 1.1 blocks; and freshman guard Avery Johnson adds 8.6 points.
Columbus East’s Jenna Guse drives against Floyd Central Dec. 5 at Columbus East.
The Republic file photo
Senior point guard Madelyn Poe leads the Olympians with 12.1 points, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals. Senior forward Messiah Trapp averages 7.8 points and leads East with 6.9 rebounds, while senior guard Jenna Guse adds 6.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
“There’s never a game that we go into that I feel that we can’t compete and shouldn’t put on a show,” first-year East coach Kaitlyn Phillips said. “So we’re going to do things the East way, and we’re going to prepare for them the same way we prepare for everyone else. Nothing about that is different. As long as we play basketball that way that we’re capable of doing, then we’ll end up on the right side.”
“They seem to be mixing up their defenses a little bit,” White added. “They still are playing some zone, but they play a little man, and press, as well. Their offense is different, as well.”
North sustained a setback last week when second-leading scorer Hadassah Hurt (10.8 ppg) tore an ACL in practice. The junior is scheduled to have surgery on Dec. 20 and hopes to be back playing next July.
Meanwhile, this will be Phillips first time coaching in the rivalry game, and she is looking forward to the matchup.
“Personally as a coach, I just live to play basketball in those types of environments that I know that game is going to create,” Phillips said. “I’m excited for our girls to experience that, especially for our seniors to go out one last time. I know the community is going to show up, so I’m just excited to put on a show for them and let everybody know what East basketball is all about.”
