"Who Let the Vols out?" No Longer the Biggest Question

CARTERVILLE — The men's and women's basketball teams are putting up some incredible numbers this season.

"Who let the Vols out?" may not the be biggest question with these teams, instead the biggest question may be "who can contain them?"

During the past two games, the men's and women's teams scored 233 points combined. The men are averaging 101 points per game while the women are averaging 87 points per game.

On Sunday, the Vols defeated West Kentucky Tech 126-80, led by Jaiveon Eaves with 33 points. Eaves was one of four Vols in double figures: Derek Hawthorn scored 19, Romelo Burrell had 16, and Ronnie Carson, 10.

The Vols are now 12-2 overall, 3-1 in the conference. The Vols face Olney Central Wednesday night.

In the meanwhile, the Lady Vols put 107 points on the board last Saturday during a 107-42 drubbing of Greenville University JV. It was the 10th win this season for the Lady Vols who are now 10-3 and a perfect 4-0 in conference play.

As with the men, any player on the Lady Vols is capable of putting up big numbers.

Kaili Bacon led a balanced attack for the Vols with 19 points while Destiny Cozart and Farasia Hodge each had 18, and Miriah Donelson, Morgan Griffith  and Shaniya Whitsell had 10. Griffith, West Frankfort High School's all-time leading scorer, led in rebounding with 10 giving her a double-double.

"Both the Vols and Lady Vols present a high-scoring brand of basketball due to the fact that any player on either team has the ability of having a big, breakout game," said Greg Starrick, JALC's athletic director. "This is fast-paced, high-scoring basketball at it's best. It's fun to watch."

Amanda Shelby, the Lady Vols head coach, said anyone on her team has the "green light" to score.

"We don't rely on one or two players to score, but anyone wearing a Logan uniform has the green light to have a big game for us," Shelby said. "I feel we have a very balanced attack which can lead to big numbers. As we enter the start of conference play again, we are going to need that balanced attack."

Shelby added, "This year, we both (men and women) have exciting teams to watch. Putting up big numbers is fun to watch for our fans and energizes our teams."

Kyle Smithpeters, head coach of the Vols, now has 125 wins as he is in his sixth season at Logan.

"It's great to see all the Vols' programs performing well," Smithpeters said. "We play in such a good league. The crowds at games have been outstanding."