The Jaguars blew open a close game midway through the third quarter. Athens went on a 17-3 run from the middle of the third to the midway point of the fourth, turning a tight 39-34 game into a 56-37 runaway.

The Jaguars (14-3 overall, 8-2 Tri-9) solidified their hold on second place in the conference with the win. The Mustangs (13-4, 7-4) remain in third place in the Tri-Nine and still on pace to reach the state playoffs. Both teams were coming off tough losses at the hands of unbeaten Green Hope. Middle Creek senior forward Kristine Rishel led all scorers with 23 points.

“I thought our guards really took the game over in the third quarter and played well,” said Athens head coach Chris Danehower, who was without one of his starting guards. “Megan Gorman started tonight and made some key plays for us throughout.”

Gorman scored eight points but dished out several key assists in place of Brittainy Joyner, who was out with an ankle injury. Gorman, Childrey and Blair Williams all took turns distributing the ball with pinpoint passes.

“We finally got our momentum going and we just went with it,” said Childrey, who finished with seven assists.

In addition to the guards, Jaguar forward Rachel Collins (14 points) re-emerged from foul trouble and scored seven points in the third period to help Athens to a 48-34 lead after three quarters. The Jaguars played the later part of the quarter with a smaller lineup, and managed to disrupt the Mustang guards, who were unable to get the ball inside to 6-foot-2 forwards Rishel and Amber Battle (8).

“We made some turnovers at some key times and they really capitalized on them,” said Middle Creek head coach Wes Petty. “We haven’t seen the 1-3-1 zone much, and we were a bit rusty early with our shooting,” Danehower said. “Then we tried a few different things, mixed it up offensively and passed the ball real well.”

The game started encouraging for Middle Creek, who led the entire first quarter until the last ten seconds. Childrey cut in front of a pass and took the ball all the way to the basket to give Athens a 15-13 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Rishel came out strong for the Mustangs, scoring eight in the opening period. She also kept Middle Creek close through the second with her scoring inside, getting Athens players into foul trouble. The Mustangs trailed just 28-24 at intermission.

“We gave them a different look in the first half than the game we played before,” Petty said. “We had them where we wanted them but then their kids stepped up and made some big plays in that second half.”