North Adams Coach Davis Ties County Wins Record as Lady Devils Roll

Coach Rob Davis reached a career milestone this season, moving into a tie with the late Dave Young for the most career victories in Adams County basketball history following North Adams’ 61-46 win over Minford on December 29. The win also highlighted a North Adams squad that, at press time, stood 6-1 and riding a six-game winning streak.

The Holiday Classic matchup at North Adams showcased the team’s offensive firepower and depth. Freshman point guard Tenzlee Burns poured in 24 points on an efficient 10-of-13 shooting line and hit three of the team’s four three-pointers. Junior Emma Pistole added 20 points and six rebounds; the two accounted for 44 of the Lady Devils’ 61 points. Sophomore Jaida Harrison did not score but managed the offense in Burns’ first-half absence and finished with a team-high seven assists.

The game was a physical affair, with officials calling 37 fouls on both teams combined. Minford’s Kerigan Davis paced the Lady Falcons with 15 points and converted 10-of-16 free throws, while Emma Carter added 11. North Adams built separation in the third quarter with a decisive 15-2 run that turned a one-point halftime deficit into a double-digit lead, capped by a layup from freshman Sophia Barlow that made it 41-28 entering the fourth quarter.

Davis credited his bench and halftime adjustments for the turnaround while acknowledging early lapses. "We were a little flat in the first half and I didn’t think the energy was there," he said after the game. "We fouled too much which happens when you’re lazy on defense, but I thought our bench gave us great minutes in the first half and kept it tight. This is a good test for us, a team we might see again in the tournament." After the inbounds miscue to open the second half, Davis called a timeout that preceded the run. "We had a loose ball on the floor and we just let it roll and roll," he added. "I just didn’t get that after I had just talked at halftime about our lack of energy. But overall I was happy with the way we came back in the second half."

Beyond the box score, the milestone and the team’s early-season form have local implications. High-performing programs boost school spirit, increase attendance at home games and support surrounding businesses that benefit from Friday-night crowds. A sustained run by a team led by a freshman and a junior suggests program continuity and potential for future postseason success, factors that can influence youth participation and local investment in athletic facilities and coaching.

North Adams’ schedule remained challenging: the Lady Devils traveled to face 8-1 Fayetteville on January 5 and were scheduled to host Ironton on January 9 and Eastern Brown on January 10 in a stretch of games that will test their conference standing. With 15 regular-season games left after the Minford victory, Davis sits on the cusp of outright ownership of the county wins record and a team that appears positioned to compete deep into March.