Christmas Break recap: Flames and Lady Flames basketball squads continue dominant seasons

Since enjoying the final day of fall semester, Lee University students have been treated to six weeks of rest and relaxation in preparation for the spring semester, yet the basketball programs remained focused in the heat of conference play.

Coach Marty Rowe’s Lady Flames squad played eight games between Dec. 6 and Jan. 10, the first day of the spring semester. 

The team’s record in those eight games? 8-0. 

They capped off an undefeated, unbeaten, unblemished Christmas break stretch with arguably the biggest win of the season – a 72-68 victory at their rival Union.

In the win, fifth-year-senior guard Haley Schubert became just the fifth player in program history to score 2,000 career points. Schubert is one of just two active women’s basketball players in the country to score 2,000 career points. 

The shot that sent Schubert over the milestone mark was the game-winning bucket, fittingly, as Schubert’s impact on the team’s success over the last five seasons cannot be overstated. 

Another important emergence for the Lady Flames over the break? Senior forward Macy Woodworth.

After injuries early in the season to the Flames frontcourt, Woodworth was tasked with stepping into the starting lineup for the first time in her career.

Since Woodworth’s first start against Auburn-Montgomery on Dec. 9, she is averaging 10 points and four rebounds per contest. The stats may not do it justice, either - opposing teams now account for Woodworth in the game plan.

On the men’s side, Coach Bubba Smith and the Flames won seven of their eight games over the break. 

That’s right – the two teams combined to go 15-1 over the six week Christmas break period. 

The calling card for Smith’s teams since his arrival to the helm in 2016 has been defense – this team is no different. 

What is different, though, is the emergence of PJay Smith. Smith, the reigning conference freshman of the year, has doubled his scoring average – 13.8 points per game as compared to his 6.9 point per contest average of last season.

His efforts on the glass have seen a similar trajectory spike – 3.5 rebounds per game last season to 6.3 this year.

Over Christmas break, Smith hit his stride scoring 18 points per game over the eight game stretch. His shot creation was paced and perfected.

The return of veteran guard Michael McGuirk also played a role in the Flames success. Out for the first several weeks of the campaign with a foot injury, McGuirk’s tenacity on both ends of the floor was a welcomed sight in his return over the break.

For the Flames to have continued success down the stretch of the season, McGuirk’s production and mentality will likely play a large role.

Fifteen and one over Christmas break combined. That should make your eyes widen.

To stay up to date with the two programs’ final stretch of the seasons, click here.