The Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriots continued to be mired in a shooting slump---a slump that has led to four losses in 10 days. In the final game of the South Central Bank Halton Classic on December 29, AC-S dropped a 54-48 decision to Crittenden County. The following day, Russell County defeated AC-S 55-41. Last Monday, Warren Central downed the Lady Patriots 37-28. Tuesday, Glasgow blasted AC-S 58-24.
The constants in each contest has been the Lady Patriots’ inability to make shots. Despite getting good looks at the basket, knocking down shots remains the struggle faced by AC-S as the season nears its midway point. Against Crittenden County, AC-S missed 41 of their 57 shots (16-57). Against Russell County, the Lady Patriots were 16 of 55 from the floor. Monday, AC-S shot 29% from the floor, making only nine field goals in 31 attempts.
In the Crittenden County game, AC-S fell behind 13-6 after the first quarter and 25-19 at the half. The Lady Rockets won the third quarter 19-13 to open a 44-32 lead. The Lady Patriots rallied in the fourth period with a 16-10 effort but couldn’t overcome the early deficit.
The bright spots in the Crittenden game was the play of Allison Meador and Jaylee Covington. Meador tallied 17 points while Covington almost recorded her first double-double. The talented freshman finished with 10 points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes of action.
Additional bright spots for AC-S in the game were their offensive board work. AC-S grabbed 16 boards, giving the team second, and in some cases, third looks to score. Once again, the inability to cap plays hurt AC-S. Turnovers were also a bright spot as the hosts committed only 10 miscues in the night.
As fate would have it, the Russell County game brought a twist of bad look coming on the heels of good news. After missing several games due to a hamstring injury, senior Kaylee Bullington returned to the starting line-up. However, Covington would go down to injury herself, suffering an ankle injury that will keep her off the court for at least two weeks.
AC-S started strong. The Lady Patriots led 12-10 after the first eight minutes and remained in the lead, 23-22 at the break. Things changed quickly. After making nine of their 21 shots in the first 16 minutes, shooting woes crept back into the picture. Couple that with more spirited play from the Lakers, and the game turned to Russell County’s advantage. A 15-6 third period from the Lakers gave the visitors a 37-29 lead. The Lady Lakers continued to build their lead the rest of the night to record the 14-point win. By game’s end, AC-S was down below 30% shooting after missing 27 of their 34 second-half shots.
Meador led the way with her second consecutive 17-point effort. Taylor carter added 10 points. Chloe Cook led the way with seven rebounds---helping AC-S match Russell County in total rebounds 34-34. Turnovers were more of a problem as AC-S committed 17 which led to 19 points for Russell County.
The 17 turnovers paled in comparison to Monday’s game—a loss to an improving Warren central team. The Lady Dragons---winners of just six games in the past two seasons---used an aggressive defense, their quickness, and timely made shots to stun AC-S. The Lady Dragon’s play helped forced the Lady Patriots into 25 turnovers which resulted in 22 Warren Central points. Add in AC-S’s poor shooting (9-31) and it was a long night for AC-S.
AC-S started strong, sinking four of their first seven shots, shooting that enabled AC-S to be within one, 11-10, after the first frame. However, the team would miss nine of their next 10 shots and record just two field goals in the second eight minutes. Carter and Cook provided the only scoring in the period. Fortunately for the Lady Patriots, Central was not shooting well. At halftime, Central led by the football-like score of 14-13.
A 3-point basket by Jae McReynolds at the 7:12 mark of the third tied the game at 17. Cook would swish a 3-pointer at the 4:57 mark to give the Lady Patriots a 20-17 lead. Central retook the lead on a 3-pointer by Kyleigh Ray. Carter sank two free throws at the 3:14 point of the third to knot the game at 22---points that proved to be the final AC-S points for the quarter.
The Lady Dragons closed the third with a put back basket by Taelor Leach and a jumper by Lay Lewis to open a 26-22 lead after the third. Grace Tuttle sank a baseline jumper in the first minute of the final period, pulling AC-S to within a basket. However, her bucket would signal the start of a prolonged scoring drought. Meanwhile, Central would pull away.
Warren Central scored the next nine point to build a 35-24 lead with just under a minute left. During the Lady Dragon’s run, a series of AC-S turnovers dashed any hopes of an AC-S comeback. Late free throws from Carter and Cook and a a basket from Jayleigh Steenbergen pulled AC-S to within nine by game’s end.
Two stats told the story. AC-S was 9-31 from
the floor (29.0%) and committed 25 turnovers---turnovers off which Warren
Central (5-9) scored 25 points. In addition, the Lady Patriots were six of 11
from the foul line. Meador paced the Lady Patriots with seven points while Cook
led in rebounds with eight.
The loss to Central was a 2A Championships sectional semifinal loss---meaning that AC-S’s play in the event ends the squad’s bid for a Sectional crown. In addition, the loss was the team’s seventh consecutive setback---a losing streak not seen in 16 years. The 2003 Lady Patriot team dropped six straight to close the season with the 2004 team losing their first three to start the year. Central’s 37-28 win marked the first time Warren Central has defeated in almost nine years.
Tuesday's story was much the same. Glasgow took advanatge of the Lady Patriots' poor shooting and crusied to the 34-point win---a win of historical note. In the 46 years of AC-S girls basketball, the 24 point total was the fewest points ever scored by a Lady Patriot team.
Snapping the streak for this team will be a focus in the coming days. Friday, the Lady Patriots entertain Monroe County (4-8). Next Tuesday, AC-S will be at Franklin-Simpson (6-7).