From Coach Walker, Coach Stevens, and Coach Jent:
On Thursday January 9th the SMS/AJH Lady Rockets travelled to Jasper for the last regular season game. The girls would go 1/3 on the night.
The 5th graders were the show stopper of the night during the c game having their best game of the season. The girls defense was on fire. The girls were anticipating passes and coming up with big stops. After halftime their offense followed suite allowing them to score a season high 23 points defeating Jasper Geff 23-4.
Ruby Newkirk had 9 points 3 deflections, 4 rebounds, and a steal. Hazel Earnest has coined the new defense phrase “PLH” which stands for play like Hazel. Closing in on a near double double she had 7 steals and 9 rebounds, a block, and several tie ups and loose balls. Linden Stevens would have 2 points and 6 rebounds. Lyla Keepes had 4 points 3 steals, and 4 rebounds. Kortney Hall had 4 points and 3 rebounds. Austin Steckler-Dee has a deflection, 2 rebounds, an assist, a loose ball and 2 points. This school year was the first time these six 5th graders played organized school basketball. They have really developed as individuals and as a team. Their understanding of the game is clicking and they are going to be a phenomenal defensive team.
In the JV game the Lady Rockets would fall 17-14 playing one of their best defensive games also all season. Using nearly only the five 6th graders the entire game, they stayed on par with Jasper/Geff in the first half down 2-3 coming into the third. JG would go on a run scoring 12 points in the third while our girls offense couldn’t find a way to score. After settling down, they’d go into the fourth and make a late charge scoring 12 points and holding JG to only 2 points to close the gap and lose 14-17. Ava Jent would have 3 rebounds a block a steal a deflection and 9 points. Bella Jent 6 rebounds a deflection, a loose ball, 0/2 at the line, and score 4 points. Natalie Hedge would have 4 rebounds and a deflection. Madeline Mann would be all over defensively having 5 rebounds, a deflection, 2 loose balls, 2 steals, and go 1/2 at the line. Cortney Jones would have 3 rebounds a steal a loose ball and a deflection. Ruby Newkirk also saw playing time.
This JV teams record does not accurately reflect their skill, talent, or effort displayed this season. They went the whole season playing all but 2 games with only 5th and 6th graders while their opponents were mostly taller larger 7th graders. They maintained a positive attitude even when down several points making the most of the games and learning and developing as a team. They faired extremely well learning all new plays and a new system under a novice coaching staff. Coach Jent Coach Stevens and Coach Walker are very excited to see the 6th graders move up to varsity next year. The varsity team fell 34-20 after struggling offensively in the first half scoring only 4 points to JG 14. They’d find their offense in the second half allowing JG to only outscore them by 4 points. Our girls stamina would come in handy and by the fourth quarter JGs leaders were tired and struggled to keep up with the Lady Rockets. Nora Jones would have 3 points, 3 steals, 1 block and 2 rebounds. Kali Walker would have 2 rebounds. Sarah McCorkle would show up defensively, learning this season how to be more of a presence under the basket and driving to the rim. She’d have 4 points 1 assist 1 block 7 rebounds and 1 steal. Lily Keepes would have 1 rebound. Chandler Cusick had 3 rebounds and great defense. Lauren Fisher had 1 rebound. Jordis Riley played hard defense. Madison Stevens was the mvp of the game and neared a triple double with 14 rebounds, 14 points, and 7 blocks.
The varsity team found fast chemistry adding in Chandler and Jordis from Allendale playing with girls for the first time and Lauren Fisher having never played before. The seasoned girls all had to learn new offense and a new system under Coach Walker and excelled. It will be very sad to lose the 8th grade class as they are full of talent, effort, and Nora Jones’ leadership and aggressive style of play.
The girls play next Wednesday at New Hope versus St Joe in the first round of Regionals.