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Lady Tigers score 96 points in victory

Tuesday, 02 December 2008

By STEPHEN FORSHA
The Times-Gazette

BAINBRIDGE - The McClain Lady Tigers came out in full force on Saturday afternoon, breaking its single-game scoring record, while defeating Northwest 96-46 at the Paint Valley Lady 'Cats Classic.

McClain not only dominated on the offensive side, but controlled all aspects on defense, forcing 40 turnovers for their second win this season.

"Our defense was exceptionally strong," McClain head coach Dennis Overstake said. "This was probably the best game we have played since the teams from 2000, '01 and '02. The kids were shooting well and only three players shot below 40 percent."

The game began with the score tied at two when junior Kate Hammond made a layup off the glass, after the Lady Tigers forced two early turnovers. The game was tied at four with Hammond scoring inside at 5:30 mark of the first quarter.

Junior Megan Saylor gave McClain (2-0) its first lead of the game with a putback shot, followed with Saylor making a free throw on the next possession.

Northwest continued to be competitive in the opening quarter, tying the game at nine, then taking the lead back at the 2:08 mark of the quarter.

Saylor tied the game at 11 with another putback basket and junior Shelby Buck netted a 3-pointer to give MHS a 14-11 advantage.

After Northwest tied the game at 14, Buck again came through with her second 3-pointer of the quarter.

Katie Wilkin made a shot at the buzzer, increasing the Lady Tigers' lead to 19-14.

MHS outscored Northwest 25-13 in the second, with senior Evann Gabriel scoring the first point of the quarter with a shot from the free-throw line, increasing the Lady Tigers' lead to six points.

Gabriel's basket was followed with converted shots from Buck, Wilkin and senior Lesley Faulconer, giving MHS a 26-19 lead with 5:37 remaining in the first half.

Buck continued her hot streak from beyond the arc, as she netted another 3-pointer for the Lady Tigers. The basket gave MHS an 11-point advantage.

After a jumper from junior Cortney Hyer, Buck converted a free throw. The free throw was followed with a steal from Saylor, who found Hammond for two points with 3:15 remaining in the opening half.

The defensive prowess of the Lady Tigers helped in a big way at the start of the second half, when MHS forced a turnover, followed with Hyer scoring the first points of the third. The basket gave MHS a 47-26 advantage.

After Northwest was forced into its 28th turnover, Hammond hit a jumper, followed two possessions later with a 3-pointer by Gabriel, giving the Lady Tigers a 57-35 lead.

At the 2:28 mark of the third, Buck continued to convert long baskets, draining a 3-pointer and giving MHS a 23-point advantage.

With Faulconer earning points in the paint at the 1:05 mark of the quarter, Buck scored another three points, this time with a layup and a shot from the free-throw line, with 39 seconds remaining in the third.

Senior Paige Ellis ended the third with two free throws, increasing McClain's lead to 29 points.

MHS started off the fourth with points from Faulconer, Buck, Wilkin and Ellis, increasing the Lady Tigers' advantage to 81-40 with 5:11 remaining in the game. Buck led the Lady Tigers with 20 points.

Senior Chay Washburn gained a rebound and made the basket at the 4:10 mark of the final quarter. Washburn's points were followed with a jumpers from Ellis and Crabtree, increasing the MHS lead to 87-40.

Washburn scored the final points for MHS with two free throws.

As a team, the Lady Tigers shot 52 percent (35-of-68) from the field. Northwest shot 55 percent, but was held to just 29 shots.

Faulconer led MHS with eight rebounds (five offensive). Ellis finished with five rebounds. Crabtree, Saylor, Washburn and junior Alex Taylor each finished with three boards.

MHS forced 27 steals, with Buck leading the way with five. Gabriel finished with four, followed by Wilkin, Saylor and Ellis each forcing three.

Hammond and Hyer led MHS with four assists each. Ellis and Wilkin each earned three.

"The kids kept working hard and everyone made a contribution in the game," Overstake said.

McClain (2-0) will travel to Washington C.H. tonight to face the Lady Blue Lions (1-0) in a South Central Ohio League battle. Washington defeated Adena 42-32 on Saturday. Reserve action will start at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity game. There will be no freshman contest.

GAME SUMMARY

SCORE BY QUARTERS

MHS - 19 25 25 27 - 96

NWHS - 14 13 13 6 - 46

INDIVIDUAL STATS:
McCLAIN (96)

K.Hammond 8 0-1 16, M.Saylor 2 3-6 7, S.Buck 2 (4) 4-7 20, K.Wilkin 4 8, E.Gabriel 0 (1)1-2 4, C.Hyer 3 6, L.Faulconer 4 (1) 4-4 15, P.Ellis 3 4-4 10, S.Crabtree 2 2-2 6, C.Washburn 1 2-2 4. TOTALS: 29 (6) 20-32 96.