Lady Tigers open season with good effort, loss to Jackson
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD — The effort was there for a young McClain Lady Tiger team, but the Jackson Ironladies (and turnovers) were just too much to handle for four quarters as JHS ran away with a 62-40 win Monday.
McClain (0-1) entered the game with four new starters in their lineup, along with a majority of the team getting their first varsity minutes of their high school career, and it showed in the first half as they committed 18 turnovers in the first two quarters and were outscored 31-17 after 16 minutes. At the conclusion of the game, MHS committed 32 turnovers to Jackson's 21.
In the second half, the Lady Tigers played better but still were outscored 31-23.
As MHS rebuilds in the early stages of this season, besides their effort, another bright spot was the play of sophomore Shania Massie, as the Lady Tiger point guard (who fought off double teams most of the game) led all scorers with 19 points, including five field goals and nine free-throw conversions.
For the game, MHS shot 33 percent from the field (13-of-39), while Jackson shot 18-of-46 for 38 percent. JHS outshot MHS in the first half, 30-11.
"We knew coming in they (JHS) had offensive firepower," MHS head coach Dennis Overstake said. "That effort we got in this game is the effort we want every game. Our defense was good, but our turnovers gave them more opportunities than they should have had.
"Everyone who came on the floor gave the effort we wanted."
Madison Ridout, a junior, led Jackson with 17 points, including three 3-pointers. Junior Lydia Poe totaled 14 points in the post.
As for the scoring, JHS (2-0) led the scoring throughout the entire 24 minutes, leading 12-5 after the first quarter. From the very first call of the game where senior Kari Jenkins took a charge, most of the the momentum belonged to the Ironladies as they scored the first seven points.
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The visitors eventually took a 10-1 lead with a 3-pointer by Ridout with 2:45 on the first-quarter clock. JHS ended the quarter with a layup from Kacee Jenkins, who totaled nine points overall.
JHS won the second frame 19-12, due in large part to nine points in the quarter from Ridout, including her second 3-pointer. In the second for MHS, Sydney Barton made a 3-pointer with 2:19 remaining in the first half, cutting the JHS lead to 14 points.
The Lady Tigers outscored JHS in the third at 12-11 with a combined effort from Alli Willett, Lauren Rayburn, Massie and Katy Unger as MHS at one point had a run of 8-2 to get to within 11 points of the Ironladies' lead at 40-29 with 1:55 left in the quarter.
For the game, Sarah Davis and Rayburn each totaled four points, while Unger totaled six. Barton and Haylee Turner each scored three points. Sarah Thompson scored one point.
In the fourth, JHS outscored the home team 20-11.
"We had opportunities, but we just couldn't sustain the opportunities we had," Overstake said. "Jackson did a good job defensively, and good defense just creates situations we can't handle yet as a young team.
"We have to remember most of these kids were on the reserve team last year, so as they gain experience, all we can ask of them is to give good effort and go out and play. We have to keep working hard, preparing for opponents and improve each time out."
MHS will play again Saturday as they host the Miami Trace Lady Panthers with varsity starting at 7:30 p.m.
In JV play, MHS fell to JHS ,27-21. Leading JHS was Lauren Parks with 11 points. For MHS, they were led by Haylee Turner with nine points, followed by Valerie Caldwell with six.
Game Notes: MHS totaled 17 fouls … MHS was 13-of-23 from the free-throw line (57 percent) … JHS was 11-of-17 from the free-throw line (65 percent) … JHS totaled five 3-pointers … Jackson totaled 19 fouls.
McClain (0-1) entered the game with four new starters in their lineup, along with a majority of the team getting their first varsity minutes of their high school career, and it showed in the first half as they committed 18 turnovers in the first two quarters and were outscored 31-17 after 16 minutes. At the conclusion of the game, MHS committed 32 turnovers to Jackson's 21.
In the second half, the Lady Tigers played better but still were outscored 31-23.
As MHS rebuilds in the early stages of this season, besides their effort, another bright spot was the play of sophomore Shania Massie, as the Lady Tiger point guard (who fought off double teams most of the game) led all scorers with 19 points, including five field goals and nine free-throw conversions.
For the game, MHS shot 33 percent from the field (13-of-39), while Jackson shot 18-of-46 for 38 percent. JHS outshot MHS in the first half, 30-11.
"We knew coming in they (JHS) had offensive firepower," MHS head coach Dennis Overstake said. "That effort we got in this game is the effort we want every game. Our defense was good, but our turnovers gave them more opportunities than they should have had.
"Everyone who came on the floor gave the effort we wanted."
Madison Ridout, a junior, led Jackson with 17 points, including three 3-pointers. Junior Lydia Poe totaled 14 points in the post.
As for the scoring, JHS (2-0) led the scoring throughout the entire 24 minutes, leading 12-5 after the first quarter. From the very first call of the game where senior Kari Jenkins took a charge, most of the the momentum belonged to the Ironladies as they scored the first seven points.
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The visitors eventually took a 10-1 lead with a 3-pointer by Ridout with 2:45 on the first-quarter clock. JHS ended the quarter with a layup from Kacee Jenkins, who totaled nine points overall.
JHS won the second frame 19-12, due in large part to nine points in the quarter from Ridout, including her second 3-pointer. In the second for MHS, Sydney Barton made a 3-pointer with 2:19 remaining in the first half, cutting the JHS lead to 14 points.
The Lady Tigers outscored JHS in the third at 12-11 with a combined effort from Alli Willett, Lauren Rayburn, Massie and Katy Unger as MHS at one point had a run of 8-2 to get to within 11 points of the Ironladies' lead at 40-29 with 1:55 left in the quarter.
For the game, Sarah Davis and Rayburn each totaled four points, while Unger totaled six. Barton and Haylee Turner each scored three points. Sarah Thompson scored one point.
In the fourth, JHS outscored the home team 20-11.
"We had opportunities, but we just couldn't sustain the opportunities we had," Overstake said. "Jackson did a good job defensively, and good defense just creates situations we can't handle yet as a young team.
"We have to remember most of these kids were on the reserve team last year, so as they gain experience, all we can ask of them is to give good effort and go out and play. We have to keep working hard, preparing for opponents and improve each time out."
MHS will play again Saturday as they host the Miami Trace Lady Panthers with varsity starting at 7:30 p.m.
In JV play, MHS fell to JHS ,27-21. Leading JHS was Lauren Parks with 11 points. For MHS, they were led by Haylee Turner with nine points, followed by Valerie Caldwell with six.
Game Notes: MHS totaled 17 fouls … MHS was 13-of-23 from the free-throw line (57 percent) … JHS was 11-of-17 from the free-throw line (65 percent) … JHS totaled five 3-pointers … Jackson totaled 19 fouls.