Shannon Hutchinson, Sports Writer
Monticello — The Monticello Lady Trojans opened their season last Monday night, with
a road trip out of region to face 13th Region foe Corbin. Monticello returns
two starters of last season's squad which won 19 games, while the Lady
Redhounds start five upperclassmen off last year's 50th District Runner-up
squad that owned a 13-17 record.
The teams played twice last season with Monticello winning the season
opener home matchup 54-47 and again four weeks later with a 57-45 tournament
win at the Mercer County Holiday Clash.
Kelci Jones, a 5-1 senior forward, scored a game high 21 points and Shai
Roaden scored 11 of her 14 points during a decisive 20-13 fourth quarter
run, as Corbin rallied to take a 58-57 season opening home win. Jones
totaled 9 field goals made 3 of 5 free throws, while Roaden tallied 5 field
goals with 4 of 7 effort from the free throw line.
Junior forward Haylee Smith scored 13 of her 15 points, after
intermission, as Corbin used a 27-17 rebound advantage to take the win.
Seven different Lady Redhounds etched the scoring column, as the winners
enjoyed a 10-6 offensive rebound edge.
"We shot the ball pretty well from the field and the free throw line,
but we just didn't execute very well down the stretch. We had some costly
turnovers late and credit both Roaden and Smith they made some big baskets
late," said MHS head coach Marla Kelsch.
Monticello, which dropped to 0-1, placed two scorers in double digits,
led by the 18 points, 5 assists and 3 steals of junior guard Courtney
Morrow. Morrow shot 4 of 6 from the field and 9 of 10 from the charity
stripe, while playing all 32 minutes of the game.
"Courtney had one of her better games and I thought she shot the ball
very well. She did a lot of things well and stat wise we had a pretty good
night. We made a couple of mistakes late and anytime you play out of region
on the road it's going to be tough," said Kelsch.
Senior forward Lacey Alley shot 5 of 15 from the field and 2 of 2 from
the foul-line to total 13 points, with 2 boards and 2 assists, in 32 minutes
of action.
"Lacey had a tough night shooting the three, but I thought she played
well overall. This was a good game, on the road to open the season. I just
wish we could've made a couple more plays and got the win. The kids were
disappointed after the game, but we can't get down, we just need to go back
to work and learn from our mistakes," said Kelsch.
Freshman reserve Autumn Bell added 9 points, all in the second half,
while Jackie Anderson and Malesha Hughes tallied 6 points each.
Hughes grabbed 5 rebounds with 4 assists, while Miranda Perkins
contributed 5 points, as six different Lady Trojans scored in the contest.
"Autumn came in and was able to do some good things, which we really
needed after losing Brittney Crabtree to injury in the first half. Brittney
is not a huge scorer, but we certainly missed her defense, rebounding and
senior leadership in the second half," said Kelsch.
Cortney Morrow netted 9 points in the opening quarter, but Corbin's
Kelci Jones responded with 8 points of her own, as the teams ended the first
period knotted at 15-15.
"Kelci Jones is one of the top players in the 13th Region and we allowed
her too many good looks in the first half," said Kelsch.
Morrow added 4 free throws in the second stanza and Lacey Alley tallied
4 points, as Monticello used an 11-10 tilt, to take a 26-25 halftime edge.
Six different Lady Trojans scored in the third frame, as the visitors
used an 18-13 surge, to push to a 44-38 lead.
Corbin used the 11 fourth quarter points of Shai Roaden to battle back
with a 20-13 run, to claim a 58-57 win. The Lady Redhounds totaled 8 field
goals, plus connected on 6 of 8 free throws attempts.
"We had our chances, but we have to take better care of the basketball
down the stretch," said Kelsch.
Corbin totaled 24 field goals, all inside the arc and made 10 of 21 free
throws for 48 percent. The winners finished with 12 turnovers and 13 second
chance points.
The Lady Trojans finished 17 of 39 overall for 44 percent, which
included a 6 of 17 tally from 3-point range for 35 percent. The squad made
17 of 22 free throws for 77 percent and totaled 12 assists, with 6 steals
against 12 turnovers.
Monticello was scheduled to play Madison Southern at home on Saturday
afternoon, but the game was canceled due to weather and will be made up
later in the season.
This week opens district play as the Lady Trojans host Southwestern on
Tuesday and follows that up with a home cross-town match up with Wayne
County on Friday night.
"Two big home district games. It sure would've been nice to play
Southern on Saturday, but that didn't happen, so we have to be ready to go.
We're looking forward to the challenge," said Kelsch.
Details on both games in next week's Outlook.