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Denen gains 300th coaching win; Blue Lions drop Lady Indians

Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
HILLSBORO — The Washington Lady Blue Lions and Hillsboro Lady Indians played a close first half in terms of scoring points, but a strong final two quarters by the Lady Blue Lions not only added a South Central Ohio League win, but the 47-17 score gave Washington head coach John Denen his 300th career coaching win, Tuesday night.

"The neat thing about this is I am on the second generation of kids," Denen said while speaking about win No. 300. "There is a guy in the stands (Jeff Shaw) who was a part of win No. 1, and now his daughter Molli Shaw is a part of No. 300. I'm really pleased I got the opportunity to do it back home. It is an honor to represent my hometown again. I probably took it for granted in life until I got to be 50 years old. If I did, I certainly apologize for that. I love being back in my hometown."

For his Lady Blue Lion team get help get him to a landmark win in coaching, they were a part of an SCOL affair at Hillsboro High School which was low-scoring in the first half. Washington gained a halftime lead of 13-7, after they led 8-6 once the first quarter was completed.  

"We didn't come out and do our defensive game plan," Denen said. "We wanted to come out with full-court pressure because they had a tough game last night and then play again tonight. We just didn't come out and get them, so I was disappointed in that."

Washington (4-4, 8-7) outscored HHS 34-10 in the final two quarters, as HHS played their second straight game this week, losing to Clinton-Massie a day earlier.

In the first quarter, where both teams combined for 14 points, the Lady Blue Lions took a 4-0 lead at the start with points from junior Jessica Guyette. Guyette, who plays in the post, finished with a game-high 19 points. The junior scored 10 points in the first half and nine in the final 16 minutes.  

HHS broke into the scoring column with 4:52 left in the first when A.J. Sanders connected with a jumper from the corner. After Guyette scored on a put-back bucket, Sanders tied the game at six with a inside basket and another jump shot. When Sanders made the score 6-4, her bucket was assisted by Maggie Tamborski.

Starting the second frame with a two-point lead, Guyette added four points to the Washington lead to put the Lady Blue Lions up 12-7 with 5:51 left in the first half. In between the baskets by Guyette, Hillsboro's Jenni Willey sank a free throw. HHS wouldn't score again until the 6:30 mark of the third quarter.

"We handled their press early on but struggled in the quarter court," HHS head coach JR Moberly said. "They are a good team, they shot the ball well, and defensively I thought our effort was great. We did a good job of getting out on their shooters and forcing them to miss some. We committed to their shooters, but they did a nice job of feeding the ball to Jessica (Guyette), and she got in a lane where she could score."

In the third frame, Washington tallied 16 points to increase their lead to 29-10, holding HHS to three points in the third. Scoring points for HHS in the quarter were Carey Juillerat and Willey, all on free throws.

In the third, the Lady Blue Lions used their defensive pressure to cause problems for HHS, but did have five players score in the quarter. Scoring for Washington in the third was Maggie McDonald, Lauren Knisley, Guyette, Adrianna Perrill and Shaw. Perrill and Guyette each scored four points in the frame.

For the game, Perrill, who came off the bench, scored 14 points.

"We came out with much better energy in the second half, but then we didn't move our feet and we reached. When we went back to half-court defense, that's when we played our best," Denen said. "We practiced hard (Monday), but we struggled on both JV and varsity with our energy.  

"The girls responded in the second half, and I was pleased."

HHS had their best quarter of scoring in the fourth, netting seven points, including a 3-pointer by Taylor Moberly with 2:11 remaining. Also adding points for HHS in the fourth were Monique Burns and Juillerat. Knisley sank a 3-pointer for Washington with 6:57 remaining in regulation.

"Our effort was great in the first half, but I don't know if we just ran out of gas, but for the last two nights we haven't shot the ball well. I hope it's for the fact our legs are tired. We were shooting well early on this year."

The loss drops HHS to 2-12 overall and 0-8 in the SCOL. Washington jumps above the .500 mark at 8-7 overall and 4-4 in the league.

HHS, who just played six games in 12 days, will take the court again on Saturday when they host SCOL leader and defending seven-time champion Miami Trace at HHS. The Lady Blue Lions are scheduled to play the London Lady Red Raiders in their next game.

Students from kindergarten and first grade were honored before the game, on the court, for having good behavior. They were greeted by the HHS girls basketball team.

Washington defeated HHS 32-20 in the JV game. Jessica Donahue led HHS with nine points.

GAME NOTES: HHS committed just three fouls in the first half … For the game, they committed just eight … HHS was 6-of-14 from the free-throw line and the Lady Blue Lions were 4-of-8 for 50 percent … Washington had six players score at least one point … WSHS made 20 two-point baskets, while committing 13 fouls … In their first meeting of the season at WCH, the Lady Blue Lions defeated HHS 54-37.[[In-content Ad]]

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