Lady Mustangs win sectional crown; defeat Peebles
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
LUCASVILLE - Though they didn't play their best game of the season the Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs did what they needed to do, and in the process won a Division III SE District Sectional championship as they defeated Southern Hills League foe Peebles 45-35 Saturday afternoon at Valley High School in Lucasville.
The Lady Mustangs (16-6) scored 14 points in the first quarter to take a 14-9 advantage after the opening eight minutes.
"There wasn't a dominating factor for us in this game," LC head coach Linda Hatten said. "We had too many turnovers on skip passes and in the second we got into foul trouble. We didn't bring our 'A' game. All of our guards had at least two fouls. We came out of the first quarter not really confident."
The second frame proved to be tough for LC with the Lady Indians outscoring them 12-8, cutting the LC lead to just one point at 22-21 after 16 minutes.
Peebles took the lead after three quarters with another 12 point effort offensively, while again, holding LC to eight points in the third.
But when it mattered most the Lady Mustnags answered the challenge with a productive final eight minutes on both offense and defense as they held PHS to two points, while netting 15 for the sectional crown.
"We took the lead in the fourth and held Peebles to two points, so that was big," Hatten said. "Defensively we held them and picked it up.
"Peebles had a lot of travels and they had to foul us."
In the final quarter senior Cali Hatten made free throws to keep LC ahead, as did senior Lindsey Hawk who was 5 of 7 from the line in the fourth frame.
"Lindsey did just an outstanding job the whole game," Hatten said. "She handled the pressure well and with Peebles in the 2-3 zone the were surrounding her, but Lindsey took care of the ball."
Hawk led all scorers with a game-high 19 points, making two 3-pointers and seven total free throws. The senior also made three two-point baskets.
Cali Hatten ended with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Sophomore Brooke Hertlein ended with five points and seven rebounds, followed by freshman Laney Lewis with four points.
LC junior Hannah Blankenship scored four points and added three assists. Juniors Lillian Blankenship and Meredith Fittro each had two points.
For Peebles McDaniels netted nine points for the team high in scoring.
"I am proud of the kids for the way they played in the fourth quarter," Hatten said. "They fought really hard and got the win."
LC now stands at 16-6 overall and will play in the district tournament on Monday, March 1 against Ironton at 8 p.m. at Waverly High School.
BOX SCORE
SCORE BY QUARTERS
PHS - 9 12 12 2 - 35
LCHS - 14 8 8 15 - 45
INDIVIUAL STATS
LCHS (45)
H.Blankenship 2 0 4, L.Blankenship 1 0 2, Fittro 1 0 2, Lewis 2 0 4, Hatten 3 3 9, Hertlein 2 1 5, Hawk 3 (2) 7 19. TOTALS: 14 (2) 11 45.[[In-content Ad]]
The Lady Mustangs (16-6) scored 14 points in the first quarter to take a 14-9 advantage after the opening eight minutes.
"There wasn't a dominating factor for us in this game," LC head coach Linda Hatten said. "We had too many turnovers on skip passes and in the second we got into foul trouble. We didn't bring our 'A' game. All of our guards had at least two fouls. We came out of the first quarter not really confident."
The second frame proved to be tough for LC with the Lady Indians outscoring them 12-8, cutting the LC lead to just one point at 22-21 after 16 minutes.
Peebles took the lead after three quarters with another 12 point effort offensively, while again, holding LC to eight points in the third.
But when it mattered most the Lady Mustnags answered the challenge with a productive final eight minutes on both offense and defense as they held PHS to two points, while netting 15 for the sectional crown.
"We took the lead in the fourth and held Peebles to two points, so that was big," Hatten said. "Defensively we held them and picked it up.
"Peebles had a lot of travels and they had to foul us."
In the final quarter senior Cali Hatten made free throws to keep LC ahead, as did senior Lindsey Hawk who was 5 of 7 from the line in the fourth frame.
"Lindsey did just an outstanding job the whole game," Hatten said. "She handled the pressure well and with Peebles in the 2-3 zone the were surrounding her, but Lindsey took care of the ball."
Hawk led all scorers with a game-high 19 points, making two 3-pointers and seven total free throws. The senior also made three two-point baskets.
Cali Hatten ended with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Sophomore Brooke Hertlein ended with five points and seven rebounds, followed by freshman Laney Lewis with four points.
LC junior Hannah Blankenship scored four points and added three assists. Juniors Lillian Blankenship and Meredith Fittro each had two points.
For Peebles McDaniels netted nine points for the team high in scoring.
"I am proud of the kids for the way they played in the fourth quarter," Hatten said. "They fought really hard and got the win."
LC now stands at 16-6 overall and will play in the district tournament on Monday, March 1 against Ironton at 8 p.m. at Waverly High School.
BOX SCORE
SCORE BY QUARTERS
PHS - 9 12 12 2 - 35
LCHS - 14 8 8 15 - 45
INDIVIUAL STATS
LCHS (45)
H.Blankenship 2 0 4, L.Blankenship 1 0 2, Fittro 1 0 2, Lewis 2 0 4, Hatten 3 3 9, Hertlein 2 1 5, Hawk 3 (2) 7 19. TOTALS: 14 (2) 11 45.[[In-content Ad]]