CLINTON, Tenn. | How do you make a statement to open the season? How about by defeating a team that is a defending district champion in Class 3A?
That's exactly what the Lady Indians did to open their season here Saturday afternoon, defeating Fulton 46-39.
Kelsey Pike had 16 points to lead Oneida on a day when every player who entered the game scored for the Lady Indians. Pike also had a team-high seven rebounds.
Raylie Bush continued to assert herself as one of the better defenders in East Tennessee Class 1A basketball, with a team-high four steals against Fulton.
Oneida struggled early, scoring only eight points in the opening quarter. On a day when the Lady Indians would shoot just 31% from the field, it was nip-and-tuck all the way. Oneida grabbed a 21-20 lead at halftime, but Fulton went back ahead by a point as the fourth quarter began.
Finally, Oneida out-scored the Falcons 16-8 in the final period to pull out the win.
The biggest story of the game — besides Oneida's defense — might have been its ability to get to the free throw line. Fulton shot just 12 free throws, making 50%, but Oneida went to the line 28 times.
Pike was especially effective at getting to the line, hitting 10 of 12 attempts there.
ONEIDA (46): Pike 16, Smith 8, Russ 7, Bush 4, Elmore 4, Terry 3, G. Shoemaker 3, West 1.
Oneida 48, Anderson Co. 31
CLINTON, Tenn. | Anderson County closed out the 2021-2022 season as one of the hotter teams in District 4-3A. But on Saturday, the Mavs suffered a setback on their home court against an Oneida team that was also quite hot as last season ended.
The Lady Indians built a big lead early and cruised to a 48-31 win over the Mavericks to close out the opening day of play in Anderson County. Braelyn Russ, who is making her return from a knee injury, came off the bench to lead all scorers with 13 points, while Kelsey Pike added 12 points.
Annaleah Terry also made an impact on the game, with a team-high eight rebounds. Grace Shoemaker added six rebounds. Raylie Bush had a team-high three steals.
Oneida shot just 36% from the field, but led 13-5 after the first quarter and 28-12 at halftime. The lead was 40-19 as the fourth quarter began.
ONEIDA (48): Russ 13, Pike 12, West 9, Bush 6, Elmore 4, Terry 2, K. Shoemaker 2.
ANDERSON CO. (31): Newman 7, Meldrum 6, Campbell 6, Bullock 4, Kelly 2, Mustard 2, Hall 2, Phillips 2.
