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Danville edges Monticello Lady Trojans 45-40 Shannon Hutchinson Sports Writer The Monticello Lady Trojans met 12th Region foe Danville, last Monday night at Trojan Gym. The Lady Trojans entered with a 0-2 record, while the game served as the season opener for the Lady Ads. The game was the first of three during the week for Monticello, as the squad traveled to the Lady Cat Holiday Classic, later in the week. Danville's sophomore backcourt of Tasha Milby and Xerces Simpson totaled 33 of their team's 45 points, as the Lady Ads built a 27-13 half time leaden route to claiming a 45-40 road win. Milby scored a game high 17 points and Simpson added 16, as seven different visitors scored in the win. "Danville has a very quick and athletic team. They have a couple of very good guards that lead their team. I think they only lost one player off last year's team, so I was proud of the way we played against their speed and battled back to have a chance to win," said Monticello Coach Marla Kelsch. Monticello, which dropped to 0-3, placed three scorers in double figures led by Mary Beth Cooper. Cooper, a 5-9 Sophomore forward netted a team high 12 points. "I thought Mary Beth was more active in this game and made some good things happen," said Kelsch. Britany Carrender and Kayla West added 10 points each respectively, as six different Lady Trojans scored in the contest. Individually we're getting some good efforts, we just need to find a way to put it all together on the same night. I think after this game we felt good about ourselves, in the way we battled back and never quit. We saw some improvement late and that was a real positive," said Kelsch. Tasha Milby scored 9 of Danville's 11 points in the first period as the Lady Ads opened with an 11-4 lead. Monticello once again got off to a slow start and made just 1 field goal and 2 of 6 free throws. "In the first half we didn't take care of the basketball and missed some easy shots. We've dug a hole several times this season early in the game and I think maybe we're just trying too hard and being to unselfish. I believe at times we would be better off just taking an open shot, instead of trying to make the extra pass," said Kelsch. Xerces Simpson led all scorers with 10 points in the second stanza, as the Lady Ads used a 16-9 run to push to a 27-13 halftime advantage. Four different Lady Trojans scored in the second period, as the hosts converted on 7 of 9 free throws. A season high five different Lady Trojans scored in the third frame, as Monticello owned an 11-7 period edge. The hosts used the improved play to close the score to 34-24, after three horns. "We had better execution, just played better on both ends of the floor. Our rebounding improved, we made some shots and every area of our game showed improvement," said Kelsch. Mary Beth Cooper led all players with 8 points in the final quarter, as Monticello ended the game with a 16-11 run. The Lady Ads made 5 of 8 free throws down the stretch and held on for a 45-40 win. A review of the stats shows Danville totaled 14 two-point baskets and 3 3-pointers. They also converted on 8 of 14 free throws for 57 percent and finished with 18 turnovers. Whitney Owens and Raven Frost finished with 3 points each, while Chelsea Humble tallied 2 points, to round-out the six hosts in the scoring column. Monticello totaled 10 two-pointers and 2 3 pointers, plus shot 14 of 25 from the free throw line for 56 percent. The squad finished with 21 turnovers, an improvement over their opening games. "We have to take better care of the basketball and do a better job at the free throw line. We're not only struggling from the line, but we're not shooting the ball well from the field and it all starts with confidence. We made some shots in the second half and our confidence was raised. When we open the game making some shots, I think our level of play will improve on both ends," said Kelsch. Up next for the Lady Trojans was an appearance in the Pendleton County Lady Cat Holiday Classic. "We just have to go back to work and build on our play in the second half. We're showing some signs of improvement and that's a positive we must build on," said Kelsch. Add a comment |
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