Women’s Basketball Kicks Off Season with a Win Over Cleveland State

The Cleveland Community College women's basketball team kicked off their season with a competitive weekend tournament at Pellissippi State Community College, ending with a 1-1 record. The team showed resilience and skill as they fought through two close games.

Game 1: Victory over Cleveland State Community College (52-45)
On Friday, November 1, Cleveland Community College secured a solid win against Cleveland State Community College, with a final score of 52-45. The game remained tight through the first half, but Cleveland Community pulled ahead in the third quarter with a 20-point burst, establishing a lead they maintained through the final period.

Key contributors for the Yetis included Jasmine Twitty, who scored 13 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and hit a crucial three-pointer. Sydnie Enste added 10 points and 6 rebounds, providing stability on both ends of the court. Grace East chipped in 9 points, shooting an efficient 3-8 from beyond the arc, giving Cleveland Community a slight edge in three-point shooting over Cleveland State.

Defensively, Cleveland Community excelled, forcing Cleveland State into 34 turnovers, which proved crucial in their victory. The team also controlled the boards with 37 rebounds to Cleveland State's 33, and although free-throw shooting was an area for improvement, their defensive pressure and ball movement compensated well.

Game 2: Narrow Loss to Pellissippi State (53-57)
The following day, the Yetis faced a strong Pellissippi State team in a nail-biting game, ultimately falling 57-53. The game saw multiple lead changes, with Pellissippi State establishing a slight edge in the second quarter by outscoring Cleveland Community 15-7.

Kari Lee was a standout in this game, leading the team with 13 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Twitty was also a key player, adding 10 points and 9 rebounds. Grace East, who scored 12 points, showcased her shooting skills with three three-pointers, providing essential offense in critical moments.

Although Cleveland matched Pellissippi State in shooting percentage and total rebounds, the difference lay in three-point efficiency and turnovers. 

Cleveland Community College's season opener was a promising display of their potential, with impressive defensive play and balanced scoring. Improvements in ball security and free-throw shooting could further strengthen the team as they look ahead to their upcoming games. The weekend at Pellissippi State showed Cleveland Community College as a competitive force, setting the tone for an exciting season.