For The Tribune
CROTHERSVILLE
Crothersville’s Macey Hall was fouled while coming down with a defensive rebound with 8.3 seconds remaining.
With the score tied at 50, Hall walked to the other end of the court and calmly swished both free throws for the final points of the game.
West Washington passed the ball in to Bailey Roll, and she drove the length of the floor and shot a layup that rolled off the rim. Katrina Christian rebounded for the Tigers and dribbled out the closing seconds.
Tigers girls basketball coach Kevin Hensley said he thought Thursday night’s 52-50 win against West Washington was a positive experience for his team.
“I think overall it’s a great learning experience for us,” Hensley said. “I told the girls as we move on during the season we can figure out how to win ballgames like this.”
Several Tigers contributed on the night.
“Different girls stepped up for us that’s usually not stepping up for us,” Hensley said. “Cassidy Mantz really stepped up big for us. She hit some big shots, and she played some great defense. All the girls were really proud of her in the locker room. I can’t say enough about how much she’s came on.”
The Senators had a 40-39 lead entering the fourth period
and scored two baskets during the first minute to open a
44-39 advantage.
Mantz then scored a basket to start the Tigers on an 11-2 run to open a 50-46 lead with 59 seconds remaining.
Christian had two baskets, Hall had a field goal, Becca Hensley added a lay up, and Kashmir Kelshaw added a free throw during the rally.
The Senators’ Cora Miller
hit two layups, the latter with
35 seconds remaining, to tie the score at 50 and set the stage for Hall’s free throws.
Alexis Adair was hot at the start of the game with eight points in the first period to spark the Tigers to a 17-14 lead.
The Senators used 10-for-11 free-throws shooting in the second period to outscore the Tigers 15-9 to get a 29-26 lead at the half. Christian scored six points in the third period to help the Tigers pull to within 40-39 entering the fourth quarter.
Christan scored 10 of her
14 points in the second half, while Adair scored all 13 of her points in the first half.
“Our defense kind of came through in the end,” coach Hensley said. “I thought we let them hang around too long.”
The Senators (1-8) were led in scoring by Taylor Stroud with
15 points and 11 rebounds, Chelsea Carter with 11 points, and by Miller with 12 rebounds.
The Senators held a 39-37 advantage in rebounds.
“That’s something we’ve got to do a better job of boxing out,” Hensley said.
The Tigers (7-4) will travel to Shawe Memorial (Madison) on Monday night.