February 18, 2014
Kelly brings down Bravettes 57-49
sports@standard-democrat.com SIKESTON -- The Scott County Central Bravettes have had two defections of late. They were also without a year-long starter. Though it's tough to replace any player at this juncture, much less three, the Bravettes hung tough with a surging Kelly Lady Hawks team Monday but eventually fell 57-49...
By Chris Pobst -- Standard Democrat
sports@standard-democrat.com
SIKESTON -- The Scott County Central Bravettes have had two defections of late. They were also without a year-long starter.
Though it's tough to replace any player at this juncture, much less three, the Bravettes hung tough with a surging Kelly Lady Hawks team Monday but eventually fell 57-49.
"I'm very proud of the way my team played today. They could have folded," Scott Central head coach Matt Limbaugh said. "I liked the way they responded and we're just trying to get better every game before districts."
Both Zairie Davis and LaQuisha Strickland, who each gave the Bravettes valuable minutes, transferred out of the district. Season-long starter Johniqua Fort did not play.
Kelly kept to their strength and pounded the short-handed Bravettes inside. Logan Ivie led the Lady Hawks with 14 points and pulled down 13 rebounds and was crucial during a stretch late in the third quarter.
Ivie kept numerous offensive chances alive by simply picking up rebounds underneath her own basket. After a 31-31 tie with three minutes left in the third quarter, Kelly rattled off an 8-3 run to end the quarter ahead 39-34.
"We try to utilize our strength, which is our inside game, and that's our goal," Kelly head coach Rod McQuerter said. "We go inside-out and see what happens."
Kelly scored four unanswered to start the fourth quarter and led by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter to hold on for the win -- their 15th of the season.
"I'm very proud of the girls," McQuerter said. "(Scott Central) has had a great season so far, they're No. 1 in their district and we told our girls that they have to match their intensity."
The two teams battled neck-and-neck in the first half until the Bravettes held a slim 29-27 halftime advantage. Scott Central (13-7) was able to attack the basket in the first two quarters, which wasn't available to them in the second half thanks to Kelly's suffocating defense.
"I thought the first half we really competed well," Limbaugh said. "We drove to the lane, which is what we preach to try and get easy shots, and the second half Kelly just buckled down on defense and we struggled getting the ball inside. The outside shots weren't falling and credit Kelly's defense for that.
"We got lackadaisical and made some passes that we usually don't make," added Limbaugh. "They took us out of our comfort zone and I thought Kelly did a good job of that."
Senior and returning all-stater Mikaela Blissett led all scorers with 28 points. She also had six rebounds. Fellow senior Derien Ditto added 12 points, five assists and eight rebounds. Madison Avance added seven rebounds.
On top of Ivie's 14, Morgan LeDure chipped in 14 points while Tessa Johnson and Stephanie Worth each scored 11. Seven players in all scored for Kelly, who feature a deep, well-rounded bench.
"We dress out 15 girls and any given night we'll play any of those 15 girls. That's a blessing that the Lady Hawks have this year," said McQuerter.
Kelly 12 15 12 18 -- 57
SCC 13 16 5 15 -- 49
KELLY (57) -- Samantha Ratledge 2, Morgan LeDure 14, Tessa Johnson 11, Stephanie Worth 11, Tori Duenne 2, Payton Jones 3, Logan Ivie 14. FG 23 FT 9-16 F 18. (3-pointers: LeDure 2. Fouled out: none.)
SCOTT COUNTY CENTRAL (49) -- Mikaela Blissett 28, Nastassia Williams 3, Darien Ditto 12, Abby Ross 3, Adira White 3. FG 18 FT 11-21 F 13. (3-pointers: Williams 1, Ross 1. Fouled out: Ditto.)
Advertisement
Advertisement