Donald Foster
WBONTV.com
Wallingford Broadcasting
Lady Indians comeback falls short
It has been 9 days since the Lady Indians (7-10) last played a basketball game, for their opponents Friday night Lafayette (16-5) they’ve played twice in that span including a district win last night over Tates Creek. Lafayette has emerged as one of the favorites to win the tough 11th region this season winners of their last 5 games. The Lady Indians won their last game at Lexington Christian, who plays tomorrow afternoon vs Berea for a chance to play in the All A tournament held at EKU this season. Coach Cooksey and his staff have not shied away from competition this season as they have already played Whitley County (13-3), Clark County (11-5), Lincoln County (12-3), and Scott County (17-2). He believes that the tough schedule will have his team ready for district and regional play coming up.
Lafayette enters the game tonight shooting 29% from behind the arc on the season. This stat will play a factor in the outcome of the game. The opening quarter we had 3 ties and 7 lead changes that saw the Lady Generals hold a 18-15 lead. Central shot the ball well in that opening frame, 6-10, but committed 8 turnovers. The second quarter saw the Central regain the lead 20-18 early but Lafayette went on a 9-0 run to take a 7 point lead. Lafayette shot 5-15 from 3 point land in the 2nd quarter. At halftime Lafayette led 37-25, Central was led in scoring by Je’Kauri McKeithen, Bailey Vanover, and Madison Bernard all with 6 points each. Caroline Bennett led Lafayette with 15 points.
Second half the Lady Indians watched the Lady Generals lead grow to as much as 18 points late in the frame. The Lady Indians didn’t give up as they score the final 4 points of the 3rd and after a basket by Lafayette to begin the 4th by Indians went on 13-4 run to get back within 7 points at 58-51. Central was forced to foul late in the game and the Lady Generals knocked down their free throws. In the bonus Lafayette knocked down 6 straight to pull away and win 66-53. Valiant effort by the Lady Indians comes up short but you have to be proud of the way they battled back. That 3 point percentage I mentioned earlier…Lafayette finished 10-26 while Central was 3-22. At the foul line the Lady Generals were almost perfect, 14-15 and Central was 10-17. Indians are showing signs of improving and growing as a team, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes as they become road warriors with only 3 home games left in the season. For Madison Central Vanover led the way in scoring with 20 points on 7-10 shooting, she also led the team in rebounding with 10. McKeithen a solid night with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Madison Bernard adds 6 points and 3 assists, Blaze Pacheco with 4 points, Taleya Todd 3 points, Eliza Minter and Logan Hudson with 2 points each. For Lafayette Carolina Bennett with 27 points and 15 rebounds, she was 5-11 behind the arc, Terri Abram 16 points, 10- 11 at the free throw line, Lindi DeBilzan with 14 points, Rylie Grantz 5 points, Tekiya gar-Carter and Tionna Sanford with 2 points each.
