Monticello — The Monticello Lady Trojans met Somerset last Friday night at SHS gym,

in the championship game of the 12th Region All "A" Classic. The Lady

Trojans advanced into the game with a 78-43 opening round win over Burgin,

while the Lady Jumpers rolled into the matchup off a 63-35 win over

Danville. Monticello won last year's championship with a 51-43 win over

Somerset and also knocked the Lady Jumpers off in the 2008 tournament with a

65-61 decision.

The senior tandem of Samantha Dorsey and Rolisa Jones netted 15 points

each, as Somerset built a 24-13 halftime advantage, then put the game out of

reach with a 19-12 fourth quarter run, en route to a 63-45 win. Dorsey shot

6 of 9 from the field, that included a 4 of 6 mark from 3-point range, plus

grabbed a team best 5 rebounds. Jones tallied on 6 of 12 field goals and 3

of 6 free throws, plus contributed 4 boards, as the Lady Jumpers improved to

14-5 with the win.

"We came out nervous, tight and just didn't take care of the basketball.

Somerset has a very nice team and they have beaten some of the best teams in

our region, so credit their seniors for putting their team on their

shoulders. I think they didn't want to lose on their floor, but we just

struggled all night long. We made mental mistakes and just didn't play like

we have played the past month. I think losses are always tougher, when you

know that it wasn't your best effort. We had opportunities all night, but

just couldn't capitalize," said Monticello head coach Marla Kelsch.

Junior forward Love Thomas added 12 points, aided by 4 of 6 field goal

shooting, as eight different Lady Jumpers scored in the contest.

"We made a run in the third quarter and cut their lead to seven a couple

of times, but just couldn't get over the hump. Somerset has a very talented

and experienced team, but we didn't follow our game plan very well. We tried

to in the second half, but never could make the defensive stops to put a big

run together. I just wish we could've shot the ball better and played more

like we're capable," said Kelsch.

The Lady Trojans, which dropped to 10-9, were plauged by 24 turnovers

and 33 percent shooting. Senior Lacey Alley paced the squad with 15 points

and 5 rebounds. Alley shot 6 of 13 from the field and 2 of 2 from the

charity-stripe, while Cortney Morrow tallied 9 points with 3 assists. The

duo combined 2 of 12 shooting from 3-point range, as Monticello finished a

disappointing 4 of 26 from behind the arc.

"We shot the ball so well against Burgin, especially from three, but

couldn't buy one this game. I think we played very nervous, maybe we

attempted to put too much into the game plan. It just hurts because I feel

we are a better team than the one that showed up. Also Somerset was a very

hungry team, so take nothing away from their effort," said Kelsch.

Mariah Hughes totaled 6 points and 5 boards, while Malesha Hughes posted

4 points with a game best 8 rebounds. Brittney Crabtree and Tiara Duncan

chipped-in with 3 points each. Autumn Bell and Miranda Perkins scored 2

points a piece, while Maggie Hopper contributed 1 point, as nine Lady

Trojans scored in the loss.

Monticello opened just 2 of 11 from the field, as Rolisa Jones scored 6

points and Somerset claimed a 9-4 first period lead.

The Lady Jumpers connected on 5 of 7 second quarter field goal attempts

and 4 of 8 free throws to use a 15-9 spurt, to own a 24-13 halftime

advantage.

"Both teams opened very sluggish and we certainly had chances early to

make some shots, but didn't. I think early on there was a four, or five

minute period neither team scored, we sure missed a great opportunity," said

Kelsch.

Somerset used seven different scorers in the third stanza, to offset the

7 points of Cortney Morrow, as the teams battled to a 20-20 draw, which left

the score 44-33, heading in to the final 8-minutes.

The Lady Jumpers converted on 4 of 5 3-pointers in the final period and

used a 19-12 run, to seal the 63-45 championship win.

Somerset, which claimed a 29-28 rebound edge, shot 23 of 50 overall for

46 percent and that included an 8 of 17 effort from 3-point range for 47

percent. The hosts marked on 9 of 16 free throws for 56 percent and totaled

18 turnovers.

Monticello shot 16 of 49 overall from the field for 33 percent and

connected on just 15 percent of their attempts from three. The squad made 9

of 11 free throws for 82 percent and totaled 11 assists with 6 steals,

against 24 miscues which led to 14 Somerset points.

The Lady Trojans host Monroe County on Tuesday night and finish off the

week at Danville.



"Monroe County lost in their All "A" title game, so they have a nice

team, plus going to Danville will be a very tough assignment. We just have

to go back to work and prepare for the district tournament," said Kelsch.

Details on both games in next week's edition of The Outlook.