Whiteoak improves, falls to Piketon
BAINBRIDGE – The Whiteoak Lady Wildcats showed improvement from their season opener on Friday as they entered the half tied with Piketon, but a late comeback attempt in the final quarter wasn’t enough as the Redstreaks defeated the Lady ‘Cats 56-46 in the 5th annual Lady ‘Cats Classic at Paint Valley High School Saturday afternoon.
The third quarter hurt the chances of Whiteoak, as they were outscored 15-4, after ending the first half tied at 24.
“What hurt us was the third quarter. We were outscored 13-0 in the first seven minutes of the quarter,” Whiteoak coach Steve Smith said. “We just didn’t get good shots, and when we did, we didn’t make them.”
The fourth quarter was a comeback quarter of sorts for WHS, as they climbed within four points of the Redstreaks at 44-41 wit 3:25 left in the final quarter.
“We made some runs in the fourth and we had to pressure them, and that caused us to get into foul trouble,” Smith said. “I was pleased with how we didn’t lay down after trailing by as much as we did. We didn’t quit and we improved from last night.”
The MVP of the game for WHS was senior Emily Hargett, as she led Whiteoak with 15 points, going 5 of 6 from the free-throw line.
“Overall everything was better than what it was in the opener,” Smith said. “That is a plus for us as we move on in the season.”
In the opening quarter, trailing 6-3, junior Haley Bingamon sank a 3-pointer to tie the game, and sophomore Jessie Gilliland gave the Lady ‘Cats the lead with a 3-pointer of her own at the 3:20 mark of the quarter.
Piketon grabbed the lead with points from senior Holly Brabson and sophomore Alexandria Southworth.
With Piketon leading by five points after Brabson made a basket, WHS junior Liz Carson drained a 3-point shot and Gilliland tied the game at 14 off an inbounds pass to end the quarter.
WHS netted four 3-pointers in the first quarter.
Each team scored 10 points in the second quarter, but Piketon regained the led with a layup from junior Elissa Robinson.
Hargett followed with put back points to tie the game at 16, and Bingamon gave WHS the lead with a jumper from the corner at with 4:32 left in the first half.
Southworth brought Piketon within one-point of tying the game at 23-22 with a 3-pointer, then gave her team the lead with inside points with less than a minute remaining in the half. Bingamon tied the game with 6.6 left in the second quarter with free throw.
Piketon controlled the third quarter, pressing Whiteoak and taking a 38-28 advantage after the eight minute quarter ended. Scoring for WHS in the third was Gilliland and junior Brittany Waits.
The final quarter saw PHS take a 13-point lead with 5:00 left in regulation.
WHS rallied with baskets from Hargett and senior Kristen Seip as they came within three points of tying the game at 44-41.
PHS increased their lead back to double digits (10 points) with 1:13 left in the fourth.
WHS (0-2) will play again Thursday as the Lady ‘Cats will host Southern Hills League counterpart North Adams.
BOX SCORE
SCORE BY QUARTERS
PHS – 14 10 15 17 – 56
WHS – 14 10 4 17 – 46
INDIVIDUAL STATS
PHS (56)
E.Manley 0 2-6 2, A.Southworth 4 (2) 1-8 15, H.Brabson 7 3-8 17, M.Hill 2 4-6 8, E.Robinson 2 4, J.Pelphrey 5 0-2 10. TOTALS: 20 (2) 10-30 56.
WHS (46)
J.Gilliland 2 (1) 1-2 8, K.Seip 1 2-2 4, H.Bingamon 1 (3) 1-2 12, L.Carson 0 (1) 1-2 4, B.Burns 0 1-2 1, E.Hargett 5 5-6 15, B.Waits 1 2. TOTALS: 10 (5) 11-16 46.
[[In-content Ad]]