On Thursday November 14, the SMS/AJH girls basketball team travelled to Red Hill to take on the lady Salukis.
The JV team lost in a heartbreaking OT game by 2. The Lady Rockets would go scoreless in the first and allow 7 by Red Hill but do well rebounding the ball. In the second Red Hill would be held to 2 points and after scoring 7, they’d enter halftime down by 2. (7-9). Red Hill would come out aggressive on offense scoring 12 to SMS/AJH 0 points. However after Red Hills #54 P. Hill would drain 2 back to back 3s defense led by Hazel Earnest with assistance from Cortney Jones, and Natalee Hedge would keep her from scoring the rest of the game. In the forth the Lady Rockets would score 14 to tie the game at 21 and send it to overtime. Red Hill would score 2. Madeline Mann would be fouled and under intense pressure with less than a minute to play shed sink both free throws to again tie up the game. In a last second gain of possession the Lady Salukis would score winning the game.
Mann would have 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 pts. Lyla Keepes would have 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. Ruby Newkirk would run the point most of the game and have 1 rebound. Kali Walker had 4 steals and 4 assists. Madison Stevens would have 12 points 2 blocks and multiple rebounds for a double double. Sarah McCorkle would have 9 points. Also seeing playing time was Cortney Jones, Natalee Hedge, Kortny Hall, Linden Stevens, and Austin Steckler-Dee. MVP of the game goes to Hazel Earnest for her incredible and persistent defense, shutting down #54 who had 11 of Red Hills’s 25.
The Lady Rockets would come out strong in the varsity game. They’d outscore Red Hill 11-7 in the first. Red Hill would regroup and close the second 10-7 coming within 1 of SMS/AJH. (18-17). Adjusting their strategy, the Lady Rockets would shut out Red Hill in the third and score 6. The Lady Rockets would not let up in the forth allowing only 2 points and score 7 themselves winning the game 31-19. Team leader Nora Jones is finding a balance between intense play and smart ball handling. She would have 4 rebounds, 7 points, and only 2 fouls. Lily Keepes would find her confidence and take several shot attempts. While not scoring she made her presence known with 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Kali Walker would go 0/2 at the line, have 2 points, I tip, and several assists. Sarah McCorkle would show her strong defensive side with 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and a tip, also adding 7 points. Chandler Cusick would have a steal, a block, and 2 points. Jordis Riley would have a steal and 2 rebounds. Lauren Fisher would also find confidence and take shot attempts. Shed have 1 rebound. Madison Stevens would again use her size and get another double double. She scored 13 points, had over 10 rebounds, and at least 4 blocks. Also seeing playing time was Natalee Hedge, Madeline Mann, and Cortney Jones.
Coach Walker and Coach Stevens would like to thank the Red Hill coaching staff and the referee for tonight’s competition for fair and controlled play. In a last minute cancellation, a referee was unable to work. With only one ref, both JV and Varsity teams, coaches, and spectators were very understanding and demonstrated great sportsmanship.
The team travels to Cisne Monday November 18 to play the Lady Bullets at 6 pm. They’ll return Tuesday to play Edwards County at home. The home game will be played at Allendale School starting at 5:15.