Record Breaker: Massie scores 40 to set single-game mark
Lead Summary

By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD — McClain sophomore Shania Massie said she felt it during warmups. Whatever she was feeling during warmups continued throughout the game as the sophomore broke the Lady Tigers' single-game scoring record with 40 points Wednesday, as the Lady Tigers defeated the London Lady Red Raiders, 68-41.
Not only did Massie set a new milestone for Lady Tigers basketball, as the previous mark was 38 points by Audra (Cook) Branham, the win by the team gives head coach Dennis Overstake career win No. 499, one win shy of the 500-win mark.
The Lady Tigers (9-11) will have an opportunity to get Overstake his 500th win on Monday as they host the Madison-Plains Lady Golden Eagles.
As for the star of the game on Wednesday, Massie spoke about setting the new Lady Tigers single-game scoring mark, as she received hugs of congratulations from coaches and teammates. Following the game, Overstake presented Massie with the game ball.
When Massie scored her 40th point, she had outscored the Lady Red Raiders, 40-35.
"I felt it during warmups," the sophomore said. "I was shooting well then, and it kept going through the game. I knew something was right when I had 17 points at halftime.
"When I left the game with 40 points, I didn't know I even had the record. I had no clue until they told me. My teammates were a big part of this too, they were cheering me on and we all played a good game."
Massie not only finished with 40 points, as she redeemed a six-point effort from the previous night, but she totaled a team-high eight steals, five assists and four rebounds to cap off a memorable game that ended with her leaving the court to a standing ovation.
"Getting Shania the ball was a part of the scouting report," Overstake said. "We knew she was going to be able to take the ball to the basket. She didn't force anything, she just let the game flow and played her normal style.
"Her defense helped create openings with points in transition, and she was getting open shots and making baskets."
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Massie scored 10 points in the first frame, including two three-point plays and seven points in the second. In the third, she added eight points (two 3-pointers), and in the final quarter, the record was set with a 15-point fourth, setting the new mark with 1:36 left in regulation.
As for the game, MHS led 17-10 after the first quarter, and in the second, the Lady Tigers' defense held LHS to just three points for a halftime lead of 30-13. MHS held a 46-21 lead after three quarters, and in the final frame, MHS outscored the visitors, 22-20.
"This was a big win for us before the tournament draw on Sunday," Overstake said. "Now we have to wait and see what teams ahead of us do, and then we'll have an idea of where we will be seeded.
"As for the rest of the regular season, we have Madison-Plains Monday, and we played well up there, forced overtime, but had two of our top scorers foul out."
Overstake continued to talk about the upcoming games to end the regular season as MHS will not only host MP on Monday (game was moved from Saturday to Monday) but also a regular-season finale at Washington Wednesday, both SCOL games.
"After how we played Miami Trace last week, we know we are capable of playing up to the level of Madison-Plains and Washington. We took them to the wire last time, but we just need to finish.
"We forced overtime at MP, but it is the little things … a free throw during the game or not making a turnover. Any of those things can make a difference."
Also scoring the other 28 points by MHS on Wednesday were Alli Willett with six points and Lauren Rayburn with five, including a 3-pointer in the first quarter.
Caitlyn Lovett added three points, and Katy Unger finished with four points and seven rebounds. Sydney Barton added three points, and Tara Karnes ended the game with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Leading LHS were Hailey Whitt and Makayla Jenkins each with 12 points. LHS was 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. From the field, MHS was 27-of-60 (45 percent), while LHS was 13-of-35 (34 percent).
As a team, MHS totaled 32 rebounds, 17 steals, 20 turnovers and 11 assists.
In JV play, London defeated McClain, 42-14. Leading LHS was Ally Robertson with 10 points, and for MHS, their leading scorer was Valerie Caldwell with six.
Not only did Massie set a new milestone for Lady Tigers basketball, as the previous mark was 38 points by Audra (Cook) Branham, the win by the team gives head coach Dennis Overstake career win No. 499, one win shy of the 500-win mark.
The Lady Tigers (9-11) will have an opportunity to get Overstake his 500th win on Monday as they host the Madison-Plains Lady Golden Eagles.
As for the star of the game on Wednesday, Massie spoke about setting the new Lady Tigers single-game scoring mark, as she received hugs of congratulations from coaches and teammates. Following the game, Overstake presented Massie with the game ball.
When Massie scored her 40th point, she had outscored the Lady Red Raiders, 40-35.
"I felt it during warmups," the sophomore said. "I was shooting well then, and it kept going through the game. I knew something was right when I had 17 points at halftime.
"When I left the game with 40 points, I didn't know I even had the record. I had no clue until they told me. My teammates were a big part of this too, they were cheering me on and we all played a good game."
Massie not only finished with 40 points, as she redeemed a six-point effort from the previous night, but she totaled a team-high eight steals, five assists and four rebounds to cap off a memorable game that ended with her leaving the court to a standing ovation.
"Getting Shania the ball was a part of the scouting report," Overstake said. "We knew she was going to be able to take the ball to the basket. She didn't force anything, she just let the game flow and played her normal style.
"Her defense helped create openings with points in transition, and she was getting open shots and making baskets."
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Massie scored 10 points in the first frame, including two three-point plays and seven points in the second. In the third, she added eight points (two 3-pointers), and in the final quarter, the record was set with a 15-point fourth, setting the new mark with 1:36 left in regulation.
As for the game, MHS led 17-10 after the first quarter, and in the second, the Lady Tigers' defense held LHS to just three points for a halftime lead of 30-13. MHS held a 46-21 lead after three quarters, and in the final frame, MHS outscored the visitors, 22-20.
"This was a big win for us before the tournament draw on Sunday," Overstake said. "Now we have to wait and see what teams ahead of us do, and then we'll have an idea of where we will be seeded.
"As for the rest of the regular season, we have Madison-Plains Monday, and we played well up there, forced overtime, but had two of our top scorers foul out."
Overstake continued to talk about the upcoming games to end the regular season as MHS will not only host MP on Monday (game was moved from Saturday to Monday) but also a regular-season finale at Washington Wednesday, both SCOL games.
"After how we played Miami Trace last week, we know we are capable of playing up to the level of Madison-Plains and Washington. We took them to the wire last time, but we just need to finish.
"We forced overtime at MP, but it is the little things … a free throw during the game or not making a turnover. Any of those things can make a difference."
Also scoring the other 28 points by MHS on Wednesday were Alli Willett with six points and Lauren Rayburn with five, including a 3-pointer in the first quarter.
Caitlyn Lovett added three points, and Katy Unger finished with four points and seven rebounds. Sydney Barton added three points, and Tara Karnes ended the game with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Leading LHS were Hailey Whitt and Makayla Jenkins each with 12 points. LHS was 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. From the field, MHS was 27-of-60 (45 percent), while LHS was 13-of-35 (34 percent).
As a team, MHS totaled 32 rebounds, 17 steals, 20 turnovers and 11 assists.
In JV play, London defeated McClain, 42-14. Leading LHS was Ally Robertson with 10 points, and for MHS, their leading scorer was Valerie Caldwell with six.