Paragould, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Dec. 7, 2024 – The Paragould Rams succumbed to Jonesboro’s Varsity Lady Hurricanes’ full-court pressure, winning the game 43-33 Thursday night at the Doc Paynter Court in Paragould.

Securing the win broke a three-game losing skid. With their second win on the season, the Lady Hurricanes’ record improved to 2-5 overall. 

Hurricanes head coach Jodi Christenberry implemented a full-court press from the beginning, as the pressure led to early turnovers and a timeout by Paragould. The next two Rams possessions led to turnovers. The press forced a long pass that went out of bounds, and the next turnover came from a 10-second violation.

Jonesboro’s Amiyah Wilburn’s score inside gave the Hurricanes a 9-2 lead. The Rams gained footing in the game when a 6-0 run brought the score to 9-8. However, second-chance points from Jonesboro’s Tatiana Sang and Lacy Hall gave the Hurricanes a 13-8 lead after the first quarter. 

The Lady Hurricanes continued to make the Rams work for everything. The press led to easy transition layups for Eljanae Daniels, Navaeh Davis, and Hall who all converted turnovers into points. Halfway into the second quarter, the Rams were forced to call another timeout, as the score was 21-8 with the visitors on top. Able to draw a bit closer, the scoreline was 24-15 at halftime. 

Coming out of the break energetically, the Lady Hurricanes continued to create pressure on defense. The aggression created turnovers and another 10-second violation by the Rams, as the pressure in the backcourt snared them again.

The strategy led to a near-seven-minute stretch in which Paragould mustered just four points. A Rams free throw and a late 3-point field goal by Paragould’s Madison Farmer cut the deficit to 11 points, and the Hurricanes settled for a 34-23 lead going into the fourth quarter. 

Jonesboro pressed on, although the Rams got a few big plays from Dixie Williams. With just over five minutes remaining, Williams hit a 3-point shot and then came up with a steal on the next play, which she turned into two more points.

Her efforts cut the deficit to six points. The Hurricanes found Rogers and Wilburn inside who converted to extend the lead to 10 points with two minutes remaining. The visitor’s defense held up and the Hurricanes held on to win 43-33. 

The win improved the Lady Hurricanes’ overall record, bringing it to 2-5 on the season. 

Next week, the Hurricanes hit the road, taking on Hall High School of Little Rock, Arkansas on Dec. 13.