Offense disappears in second half for NMCC

Thursday, December 22, 2011
New Madrid County Central's Benesha Childress skies for a layup on Wednesday against the Kennett Lady Indians during the semifinals of the Twin Rivers Lady Royals Christmas Classic at Twin Rivers High School. (Photo by Chris Pobst, Staff)

sports@standard-democrat.com

BROSELEY -- During the second half, the offense for the New Madrid County Central Lady Eagles simply stopped.

The second-seeded Kennett Lady Indians took advantage and cruised to a 53-34 win on Wednesday to advance to the Twin Rivers Lady Royals Christmas Classic Tournament against Dexter at 7:30 p.m.

"We came out in the first half and did what we wanted to do offensively. In the second half, we came out flat and they didn't," NMCC coach David Crockett said. "I told them at halftime, we couldn't come out flat and we did. That's what happens. If you get down double figures to a good team, it's tough to come back."

So much of NMCC's offense is predicated on turnovers from their pressure defense. Although they forced many, the Lady Eagles could not convert on those opportunities in the second half.

"We had a lot of opportunities to put the ball in the hole and we just didn't," Crockett said. "I felt like we had them on the ropes a bit in the first half and they came out in the second half and played hard where we didn't."

Kennett held a slim 22-20 lead at halftime. They went on to outscore NMCC 18-8 in the third quarter giving the Lady Eagles a 12-point hole to try and climb out of in the final frame.

The Lady Eagles (5-3) managed just six points in the fourth quarter while battling foul trouble with their leading scorer, Benesha Childress, who scored 11 points.

"We play an aggressive style and fouls are going to come," Crockett said. "It's those silly fouls we have to cut out. I don't mind the aggressiveness, but when we have those silly ones, it hurts."

Karen McGloson led NMCC with 14 points.

Kennett's Audrey Wynne scored a game-high 30 points with most of her work being done under the rim. Wynne, a 5-10 senior, was fed the ball in the paint and cleaned up offensive rebounds for most of her points.

NMCC will now play Neelyville today a 6 p.m. for third place.

"We came in as the sixth seed and have a chance to win third," Crockett said. "It's disappointing to lose but, I'll take it. We just have to bring it every night. We can't pick and choose when we bring it, which is what we're doing."

NMCC12886--34
Kennett11111813--53

NMCC (34) -- Amirah Ruff 5, Audra Porter 2, Benesha Childress 11, Karen McGloson 14, Roshaunda Summers 2. FG 15 FT 3-9 F 20. (3-pointers: Childress 1. Fouled out: Childress, Summers.)

KENNETT (53) -- Alex Washburn 2, Anna Hilburn 3, Morgan Pickens 9, Lara Abmeyer 5, Audrey Wynne 30, Nene Gooden 4. FG 20 FT 12-27 F 8. (3-pointers: none. Fouled out: none.)

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