Taeha Pankey helps Legacy come out hot in win over Cheyenne
By Justin Emerson Las Vegas Review-Journal
Legacy’s Taeha Pankey (3) drives to the basket against Cheyenne during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Legacy’s Rory Carter (23) drives to the basket against Cheyenne’s Brielle Jefferson (15) and Mi’theajah Alexander (22) during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Legacy’s Maiah Yearwood (24) shoots over Cheyenne defenders during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Legacy’s Amiya DeSouza (20) and Cheyenne’s Shanice Aycox (5) fight for a rebound during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Cheyenne’s Jennifer Quintana (3) looks to shoot against Legacy during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Legacy’s Taeha Pankey (3) goes up to shoot against Cheyenne during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Cheyenne’s Shanice Aycox (5) throws a pass as Legacy’s Samiah Mitchell (1) and Legacy’s Amiya DeSouza (20) look on during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Legacy’s Maiah Yearwood (24) goes up to shoot against Cheyenne during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Cheyenne’s Almond Slayton (0) drives to the basket against Legacy’s Taeha Pankey (3) during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Legacy’s Rory Carter (23) drives against Cheyenne during a basketball game at Legacy High School in Las Vegas on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
After five straight league games, and with Legacy fighting for the No. 2 seed in the Northwest League standings, coach Tiffany Richardson called it “so weird” to have a nonleague game sprinkled in, like Thursday’s home game against Cheyenne.
Either way, Legacy took care of business.
Taeha Pankey scored a season-high 27 points, and the Longhorns’ girls basketball team used a 19-6 first-quarter run to take control and fend off Cheyenne, 61-52.
“We came out good, but I felt like we got really tired,” Pankey said. “I felt like I led the team and they looked at me like a leader more.”
Both Pankey and Richardson said the team was flat and faded after its strong start. Legacy (9-15) shot 19-for-58, including a second quarter in which it was 2-for-15.
“I felt like we missed some shots that we are normally capable of making,” Richardson said. “I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s a win and we’ll take it.”
Still, Cheyenne (10-9) was equally inefficient, shooting 19-for-60, and the Longhorns took advantage.
Where Legacy made the difference was from the free-throw line, making 17 of 20, and with Pankey.
The senior guard has been a top player since she arrived at Legacy, and Thursday was one of her finest efforts. She scored 12 points in the first and didn’t slow down. She made four 3-pointers and all five of her free throws.
“This is one of my best games,” Pankey said. “It felt good.”
Rory Carter added 11 points for the Longhorns, who will host Arbor View for second place in the league.
Teionni McDaniel led the Desert Shields with 21 points. Almond Slayton had 16 points and 16 rebounds.
