A-J girls win opener at Benton tournament

After winning its opening game against Trico, Anna-Jonesboro lost its final three games at the Benton high school girls’ basketball invitational.

Carterville 45, A-J 42: Jessi Stone scored 15 points to lead the Lady Wildcats in the loss in the fifth-place game Thursday, Dec. 29.

Brooke Chamness added 10 points, Kim Mixen 8, Valerie Pender 5 and Erica Friebel and Katie Grant 2 each.

The Lady Lions led 16-14 after one quarter and 27-25 at halftime. The Lady Wildcats fought back to tie the game 35-35 heading into the final period where they were outscored 10-7.

Benton 60, A-J 36: The Lady Wildcats fell behind early and couldn’t catch up in the loss Wednesday, Dec. 28.

The Rangerettes led 18-8 after one quarter and 31-20  halftime. Benton led 50-32 after three periods.

Stone and Valerie Pender each scored 8 points to lead A-J. Chamness and Mixen added 7 points each, Erica Freibel 4 and Krista Pender 2.

The other tourney loss for A-J was to Fairfield, 47-35.

“The only game I was disappointed in up there was the Benton game,” A-J coach Brian Clark said. “Other than that game, we competed very well.  Our problem is we’re just not deep on the bench. But, the girls are still playing hard.”

Stone was named to the all-tournament team.

A-J, 6-10, is scheduled to play Thursday, today, at Goreville and Saturday at Cobden.