ARLINGTON – Terry Parker (14-6) bravely exhibited their tomahawk force to defeat the Fernandina Beach Lady Pirates 60-44 on Thursday evening.
Parker would begin the season off to a rough start due to key player Adonne Tillman’s absence whom underwent surgery early on during the season.
Braves head coach Rene Howell exclaimed , “The girls are all back together now, the missing piece to the puzzle is here and they are a team again.”
Tillman would lead the Lady Braves by scoring 14 points, Janell Johnson and Brianna Raymond each scored 12 points and Kiana Wilson followed through with 9 points.
Terry Parker’s Jaida Reddin, Kiana Wilson, Janell Johnson, Denaesia Pollard, Adonne Tillman and Coach Rene Howell talk about tonight’s win over Fernandina Beach . @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/9VCbeiUcOh
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) February 1, 2019
Tillman quickly floated into the game wounding up the first quarter by landing the first shot. Fernandina (23-4) would be sure not to miss out on any of the action effectively tying the score consecutively against Parker. Once the teams were tied 6-6, Tillman would send a three-pointer allowing a lead for Parker.
Fernandina’s strong and powerful Zada Freeman would prove to be an intimidating force in the middle by blocking shots and grabbing rebounds, yet Parker held a 17-12 lead ending the first quarter.
Fernandina Beach for the 3. Terry Parker leads 22-19 with 4:19 in the 2nd qtr @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/E9M8fqaSy6
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) February 1, 2019
Wilson and Johnson affectionately dubbed “The Dynamic Duo” would link up in the second quarter to give the crowd a little flashback of their reign together as Johnson and Wilson led Arlington Middle school to win the 2018 championship. The duo scored a total of 9 points in the second quarter actively assisting teammates and gaining steals from Fernandina lessening the Lady Pirates chances of scoring.
Adonne Tillman for the 3. Terry Parker leads Fernandina Beach 43-32 with 3:41 left in the 3rd qtr @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/PGAE7SJSfJ
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) February 1, 2019
Reddin added her magic to the quarter by dishing out a three-pointer. Talia Hamilton single handily paced Fernandina Beach scoring a total of 9 points as she displayed her superb ball handling skills. Fernandina would soon fall short once again as Parker would outscore the team 17-13 ending the first half with the score reflecting a 34-25 Parker advantage.
The Lady Braves connected to the second half of the game determined to play better as a team by effectively communicating. Freeman’s strong presence and domination in the middle began to weaken as Parker would bravely make more driving shots and battle for rebounds.
Brianna Raynor would prove to be a key player in the second half for the Braves. Raynor, along with her towering presence would boldly go forth into the second half scoring 10 points and matching up against Freeman in the middle. Parker dominated the second half of the game outscoring Fernandina 26-19.
Terry Parker’s Zhanylle Grant, T. Bates and B. Watkins @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/tpOcHfmCTO
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) February 1, 2019
The relentless force behind the Lady Braves (14-6) persistence to win led to their 60-43 victory over Fernandina. The sheer command over each quarter proved to be an example of the fruits of Parker’s labor, as well as a well played execution of effective teamwork.
