Ross guides Twin Springs to rivalry win at Rye Cove

CLINCHPORT — Emma Ross can do a little bit of everything on the basketball court. She showed that on Friday night, scoring 23 points and handled the ball in leading Twin Springs to a 51-40 Cumberland District road win at Rye Cove. "I feel like there was definitely some spots that we could have cleaned up, but everybody is coming off sickness and stuff," Ross said. "We are really just now starting to play some really good ball right now. I think overall we played great." Just a sophomore, Ross, who is also a standout in volleyball and softball, scored 10 points in the second quarter and 12 in the opening half and added 11 more to help the Titans (12-6, 5-0) stay unbeaten in the district. "Just knowing that I have been in the gym for hours and hours," said Ross, of her confidence to do what it takes to help the Titans finish on top. "I know that as many shots as I have took, I know I can make that shot. That is just all it comes down to." Makenzie Gillenwater had seven first quarter points to lead the Titans to a 14-6 after the opening period. Ross added 10 more in the next eight minutes to put Twin Springs up, 26-14, at halftime. Gillenwater finished with 16 points and had double figures in rebounds. "I love to jump out like that," Ross said. "It is great when we jump out on teams like that, it definitely makes the rest of the game much more easy." Rye Cove (5-9, 3-2) struggled early making shots, with Lexi Shupe scoring six of her eight points to give the Eagles those 14 points in the first half. "I am proud of our all of our girls. We just didn't make enough shots early in the game," said Rye Cove head coach Adam Hood, who was the boys coach for the Eagles prior to this season. "We started out in a zone, I thought maybe we could slow them down a little bit. We wasn't successful on it, we will go back and look at it and see what we can do to improve." Hallie Berry helped Rye Cove remain within striking distance with a trio of 3s, but Ross handed five more to give the Titans a 40-23 with eight minutes to go. Berry added another 3-pointer in the final period to finish with 12 points. "She didn't shoot well in the first half, but we challenged her there at halftime," Hood said. "She responded, I was proud of her, she has put in a lot of work in the offseason. I am glad to see that, her being successful. I am proud of her." Rye Cove was able to pull within nine twice in the final period, but Ross added five more points to help the Titans hold them off. "She is a competitor," Hood said. "They done a little ball screen action there, dribble handoff. We will be better next time." Rogers led Rye Cove with nine of her 13 points in the final period, while Lexie Holland added seven points for the Eagles, which will visit Holston on Monday and look to avenge an earlier district loss to Eastside on Tuesday. "I love where we are at right now," Hood said. "We just proved it. We can play, we can beat anybody in this district so I love where we are at right now." Twin Springs, which is playing under first-year head coach Terry Bird, also received seven points and steady play at point guard form Isabella Dingus. The Titans return to action on Tuesday against Castlewood. Ross is excited about what could lie ahead for Twin Springs. "I think we can make state run," Ross said. "I really have a ton of confidence in me and my teammates and just everybody all together." NOTE: The boys game was still in progress at press-time. See details at timesnews.net.