By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Troup Lady Tigers, fresh off an impressive victory over Harris County, will try to make it two wins in a row to start the season when they visit Heard County on Friday.

Troup, facing a traditionally-strong Harris County team, eased to a 63-36 victory on Tuesday in Hamilton.

Leading 12-8 after the first quarter, Troup outscored Harris County 22-6 in the second quarter to create some separation.

Troup continued to pull away in the second half to make it a suspense-free opening night.

“I thought the girls showed a lot of great team work,” said Carla Thornton, Troup’s head coach. “I was real impressed with that. There were a lot of smiling faces, too. That’s always a plus. Everybody was pulling for each other.”

Troup is coming off a successful 2018-2019 season.

Troup went 17-9 and finished second in the Region 5-AAAA tournament before losing to Oconee County in the first round of the state tournament.

There were no seniors on that team so everyone has returned, and some talented freshmen have joined the fold.

One of those freshmen, Alexcia Murphy, led Troup in scoring with 15 points.

Murphy scored 10 points in the first quarter to help Troup take a 20-point lead.

“That was her first game. She missed our scrimmage game, so she was nervous,” Thornton said. “I told her to just get out there and play. If anything, just hustle, because I love hustle players.”

Senior Amber Gilbert, a four-year starter and Troup’s leading scorer last season, added 14 points, and Aniya Palmer scored 12 points.

Monyia Murphy contributed nine points, and Ericka Jones chipped in with six points.

After the Heard County game, Troup will make its home debut on Tuesday against Upson-Lee.

Troup plays 11 games before opening its region schedule on Jan. 4 against Sandy Creek.

“We play a lot of talented teams,” Thornton said. “We play Greenville. We’ve got East Coweta. I know Heard County is always well-coached, so we’re going to get some good looks.”

Troup’s boys’ team is also looking for a perfect start to the season.

Troup built a double-digit second-half lead and held on to beat Harris County 50-47.

Troup makes its home debut on Tuesday against a power-house Upson-Lee team.

After winning a state championship in 2018, Upson-Lee went 25-2 last season and lost in the second round of the state tournament.