FAYETTEVILLE-Going into Tuesday night's season opener, Scotland Coach David Johnson's main concern would be how a team with a freshman starting at point guard would perform.

The answer was quite well. The surrounding cast helped Ariel Ratcliff out with that.

The Lady Scots got a pair of double-double performances and outscored the Lady Bucs, 40-26, over the final 24 minutes to pick up the win over Jack Britt, 49-36.

"We were a little shaky at first, but you expect that first time out," said Johnson. "We still got a new group and they're not use to playing with each other in game-type situation but we're going to go keep working them up."



After being outscored, 10-9, in the first quarter, the lead would change hands five times over the next eight minutes. The Lady Bucs would still have a three-point lead before the Lady Scots closed out the first half on a 9-2 run, taking a four-point lead (20-16) into halftime.

"Our biggest thing that we wanted to do was be able to defend," Johnson said on the run. "When we get in transition, we want to get as many easy baskets as possible and then get a little cushion and work against the other teams' defense."

Jack Britt (0-1) came out on the fire in the second half, taking a one-point lead with 6:37 left to play in the third. Following that, Scotland (1-0) tied it up at 24 less than two minutes later before taking a quick time-out.

Following the breather, the Lady Scots re-took the lead (27-24) on a three-pointer from Ratcliff.

For the Lady Bucs following the time-out, it was not to their benefit as they went ice cold from the field over the next four minutes. Caitlin Sandy put an end to the drought with a field goal with less than 30 seconds to play, cutting the Scotland lead to just eight (34-26) enter the final quarter.

"We wanted to finish tonight and we weren't able to, but we got enough to make our transition game good," said Johnson. "We were able to widen the gap in the fourth quarter, get a cushion and we got that chance in the third quarter."

After allowing Jack Britt to get within six, Tierra Pate upped the lead back to eight (38-30) with a basket while being fouled in the process. She junior would end up missing the free throw.

"I wanted to be able to come in and contribute," Pate said, who led the team with 12 rebounds to go along with 14 points and five assists.

Brittany Dockery's field goal with 1:39 to play, gave the Lady Scots their largest lead of the game, 49-34. The senior led the team with 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

"I expected this kind of production out of her and more," said Johnson of the senior. "She has the kind of talent to give us 20 points a night, and she has to potential to possibly get more."

Along with Pate and (Brittany) Dockery's performances, only three other Scotland players got into the scoring column. Ratcliff put in six points in her varsity debut while Miriya Bryant and Bridgette Dockery chipped in four points apiece. (Bridgette) Dockery also had a pair of steals and two blocked shots. Jonissa Monley brought down seven rebounds.

Sandy led the way for Jack Britt with 11 points with Assia Ferguson and Ashlyn Francis adding eight apiece.

The Lady Scots will be back in action on Thursday night when they play their first home game of the season, hosting Pine Forest at 6 p.m.

Junior Varsity

In junior varsity girls action, Scotland defeated Jack Britt, 60-29.

Brie Matthews led the way for the Lady Scots with 22 points. Cyntheia and Lateecia Smith added 11 and eight respectively.

Scotland junior varsity will travel to Pine Forest on Thursday.