Fillies topple Odessa, 97-70
The Panola Watchman
12/14/07

ODESSA - Before they departed for Christmas Break - they won't return to action until Jan. 4 - Panola Fillies put another check in the win column as they routed defending national champion Odessa College, 97-70.

Bidding 2007 a fond adieu, Tracey Stellato's minions dominated early on, collecting 47 rebounds and drilling 35 of 90 shots with 10 of the 11 roster players producing three or more points. Lauren Rust, a Waxahachie sophomore, failed to connect in two goal attempts.

On the edges of the arch, 5-5 Jersey Village sophomore guard was awesome as she jostled the nets eight times in 14 attempts and had 26 points, a career best. Brown missed just twice from the field, both two-point attempts. She was two for two at the foul line and took down four rebounds, three off the offensive glasses. In the paint, 5-10 Many, La., veteran Kim Edmonson was four for five. At longer distances she drilled four of eight to add 22 points to Panola coffers. She had six rebounds, five on defense.

Although they were the only ones to score in double digits, others made significant contributions.

Kayla Weaver, 5-11 guard from Acquilla, scored nine and had three assists.

Veranda Milakovic, 5-10 guard from Upplands Vasby, Sweden, made just four of 16 goal attempts, but was worth the recruiting trip with eight points, five assists, three steals and 13 rebounds, nine of them off Panola's glasses.

Valentina Cora, 5-7 point guard from nearby Vicenza, Italy, tallied eight and had four rebounds and four assists.

Brittany White, a freshman guard from Arlington, had seven points to help give the Fillies a bit more of an international flavor.

"I thought we played very poorly during the first half," Stellato said. "We are not playing hard enough."

"We came out in the second half with much better intensity on both ends of the floor. That really allowed us to knock down some shots and get some stops on defense. We had a team that stepped up and made plays in the second half. Jasmine and Kim really took over, but I thought we got a good team effort, too."

Panola (9-4, 2-2 in XIV) hosts Murray State Jan. 4 when it resumes play after the break. It, too, is a non-conference outing.