LOCALS IN COLLEGE: Savanah Pippin making an impact at Coastal Carolina

It hasn’t taken Savanah Pippin long to make an impact for the Coastal Carolina University women’s basketball team.

Pippin scored 10 points and hauled down six rebounds – both team-highs – as Coastal Carolina claimed a 52-49 win over Presbyterian on Jan. 2.

The freshman hit five of the eight shots she attempted and also came up with two steals. Her 12-foot jumper sparked an important 8-0 scoring run in the second half that helped the Chanticleers take control.

Pretty impressive considering it was just the seventh game of the former Virginia High star’s collegiate career.

For the season, Pippin is averaging 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest for a team that has a 9-3 record.

Goins: Super sub

Carroll County High School graduate Kayla Goins has flourished in a reserve role this season for the Ferrum College women’s basketball team.

In 11 games off the bench, the sophomore is averaging 7.0 points, 3.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. Her best performance came in a 118-73 victory over Meredith on Jan. 4, when she pumped in 18 points and doled out eight assists.

Local vs. Local

Krystal Patton (Chilhowie) was on the winning side of a matchup between local players on Saturday as the Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) women’s basketball team triumphed over Whitney Moody-led Carson-Newman, 80-69.

Patton had six points and two steals for the Bears. Moody, a former Sullivan Central High School star, finished with nine points and one assist in a losing effort for C-N.

More on Montgomery

Former Tennessee High standout Danielle Montgomery is averaging 1.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the University of Massachusetts women’s basketball team.

Her best performance was a seven-point, two-rebound effort on Dec. 19 against Binghamton. The 5-foot-8 junior guard has struggled to find her shot this season and is just 3-for-35 from the field in 13 games.

Concord duo

The Concord (W.Va.) University women’s basketball team boasts a 10-2 record. A pair of local players have keyed that fast start.

In the Mountain Lions’ 80-72 victory over Fairmont State on Saturday, former Honaker High School star Rachel Artrip recorded nine points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Sullivan Central High School graduate Jacqueline Kestner scored three points.

Milligan men

Milligan College suffered a 79-55 men’s basketball loss to Bryan (Tenn.) College on Saturday, but not before two Northeast Tennesseans made major contributions.

Former Sullivan Central High School standout Tyler DeVault finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Ellis (Tennessee High) finished with eight points.

Latest on Lovett

Yale University swimmer Jared Lovett (Abingdon) had a pair of second-place finishes on Saturday in an Ivy League dual meet win over Cornell.

Lovett finished second to teammate Mike Kazris in both the men’s 200 backstroke (1:55.59) and 200 IM (1:56.52).

Strong’s schedule

Local fans will get a chance to see former Richlands High School baseball star Bradley Strong play close to home this spring.

Western Carolina University, where Strong is a freshman infielder, plays at East Tennessee State University on April 25.

WCU opens the 2012 season on Feb. 17 at home against Fordham. Strong had a strong fall season for the Catamounts and should contribute in his first season on campus.

thayes@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Hayes_BHCSports | (276) 645-2570