By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

SAND ROCK – Beginning her 23rd year as head coach of the Sand Rock Lady Wildcats, Lisa Bates never had three players earn double-doubles in the same game.

That all changed Tuesday in the Lady Wildcats’ season opener against DAR.

Zoey Handy collected 24 points and 16 rebounds. Katelyn StClair contributed 17 points and 12 boards, and Kennedy Henderson had 13 points and 14 rebounds in leading Sand Rock to a 70-55 victory.

“That’s fantastic,” Bates said. “I’m really proud of our rebounding.”

But before those double-doubles began to take shape, the Lady Wildcats (1-0) had to get over their nerves.

“The first half, it was almost like everybody wasn’t exactly sure what their role was,” Bates said. “One of my girls said ‘You realize we’ve never started a game in front of that kind of crowd. In JV there’s nobody here.’

“We had a lot of turnovers and we missed some layups in the first half. I’ve got to be patient with them. We’ve got to work through some things as the season goes, but I’m really hopeful we’re going to be able to grow and be really competitive at the end. We’ve got a ways to go.”

Sand Rock held a 10-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter and held a 29-25 edge at halftime. The Lady Wildcats stretched their lead out to 48-35 after three quarters.

Lauren Buchanan led the Lady Patriots (0-1) with 31 points. Ashlyn Foster netted 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

Jacey Stephens added nine points for Sand Rock, all on 3-pointers. StClair also dished out eight assists and had three steals.