Early lead, strong showing from juniors help Crothersville cruise past Edinburgh

0

CROTHERSVILLE

In order to continue having success this season, Crothersville’s girls basketball team needs its juniors to come up big each night out.

On Thursday night, the Tigers showed what happens when Maddie Riley, Piper Hensley and Tayler Brewer all put together complete games, as the three juniors accounted for 67 points in a 75-45 victory against sectional 61 foes Edinburgh.

After opening the game with a 3-pointer from Hensley and basket from Brewer to go up 5-2, the Tigers (12-6) went on a 13-0 run.

Brewer had eight points during the scoring streak, and the Tigers led 18-2 with 1:51 on the clock.

A 3-pointer from the Lancers’ Sidney Beier stopped the bleeding, but back-to-back baskets by the Tigers gave them a 22-5 advantage after eight minutes of play.

The Lancers (8-9) outscored the Tigers 9-4 by the 3:48-mark in the second quarter, chipping away at the deficit.

After exchanging three straight scores, the Lancers scored five straight points to cut the margin to 32-25 with 1:07 left in the half.

At the break, the Tigers led 34-25 following a last-second basket from Hensley.

“I told them coming out of halftime that it was all about our defense,” Tigers coach Kevin Hensley said. “If our defense worked hard, and turned the ball over, the offense would take care of itself.”

Out of intermission, the Tigers went on a 10-2 run on two 3-pointers from Hensley and a pair of baskets by Brewer to lead 44-27 three minutes into the second half.

Following a 3-pointer from Beier, and free throws from Destiney Ramey, Crothersville closed the quarter on a 10-2 run in the final 3:22 of the quarter. Riley sank a pair of 3-pointers during the stretch.

At the end of 24 minutes of play, the Tigers led 54-34.

A pair of runs put the game out of reach for the Lancers in the fourth quarter.

From 6:52- to 6:04 the Tigers scored eight straight, and from 5:36- to 3:46 Crothersville had nine unanswered to lead 73-43.

In the waning minutes, the Tigers were able to run out the clock on long possessions.

Brewer led the Tigers with 30 points, Hensley scored 22 and Riley added 15 .

“Those three need to be our leaders,” coach Hensley said. “They have the experience and everything we need to succeed as a team.”

Beier, the only Lancer to score in double figures, finished with 11 points.

The Tigers out-rebounded the Lancers 36-19, led by 14 boards from Brewer and nine by Bekah Cook.

As a team, the Tigers finished with 26 assists (Riley 8, Cook 7).

“I know (Edinburgh) is going to be formidable come sectional,” coach Hensley said. “Every team will come in with everything they’ve got. Nobody can be overlooked come sectional time.”

Tonight’s rescheduled game against Henryville has been postponed for the Tigers due to weather. They will play at Scecina on Saturday.

No posts to display