Poor shooting hurts MHS in tourney loss

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Saying it was a poor shooting night for both the McClain Lady Tigers (17-6) and the Washington Lady Blue Lions (10-13) would have been an understatement as the two teams squared off to kick off their tournament runs on Thursday night. The Lady Tigers were unofficially 9-of-54 from the field shooting for a shooting percentage of only 17 percent and also committed 29 turnovers in their 43-29 loss.

The game kicked off on a good note for the Lady Tigers as Taylor Polley nailed a deep three pointer to put her team up 3-0 with 7:12 to go in the first frame. That 3-0 lead was the last time the McClain faithful would see their team hold the lead, as Washington took advantage of poor shooting and took off with their scoring. By the end of the first quarter, the Lady Blue Lions had a 10-4 lead.

In the second quarter, the Washington girls continued to add to their lead by scoring the first five points of the second before McClain’s Polley scored to stop the run to make it 15-6. Turnovers hurt the Lady Tigers big in the game and they could never get their offense in a consistent state, and when they did, they had a hard time making shots, as nothing seemed to be falling for them. At the half, the Lady Blue Lion led 21-13.

In the third quarter, McClain’s Taylor Polley was able to get some points on the board for her team, scoring six in the quarter, but as a team, the Lady Tigers only scored eight as the Washington girls were able to tally eight as well, breaking even and the Lady Blue Lions led 29-21 going into the final quarter.

In the fourth, things didn’t get any better for the Lady Tigers as Washington extended their lead even further going 14-8 in the eight minutes. Half of those 14 came from the free throw line. Again, the Lady Tigers could not get their offense going and continued to turn the ball over to their opponents and the final score came to 43-29.

“[Washington] executed and we didn’t,” said McClain head coach Jared Haines after the game. “I think that was evident to everyone that was here watching. I thought we had plenty of opportunities from the outside and the inside. Tonight was probably the worst we’ve shot from the floor all year. We’re weren’t very focused and weren’t finishing inside. We shoot the basketball everyday and we’re way better than that. But, like I told them in the locker room, the best thing about this loss is that it hurts and everyone that was out here tonight is coming back next year and they have a chance to get better and they have to get stronger. We have to work on shooting the basketball a little more consistently.

“I thought we had a good season overall. We’re playing two freshman, a sophomore that didn’t have any varsity experience and a couple of juniors that didn’t play a whole lot. I was proud of the kids and that’s what I told them. They had a good season but just didn’t end it like they wanted to. Again, they have a year to get better and improve and get stronger and see what next year brings.”

Box:

MHS – 4 9 8 8 – 29

WHS – 10 11 8 14 – 43

McClain: Polley 2(2) 2/7 – 12; Malea Montavon 2(1) 2/2 – 9; Montgomery 1 2/2 – 4; Barton 1 – 2; Makenzie Montavon 1 0/2 – 2. Totals: 7(3) 6/13 – 29.

Washington: Haithcock 6 0/1 – 12; McRoberts 3(1) 4/6 – 10; Gray 2 4/4 – 8; Hawk 2 3/5 – 7; Wallace (1) – 3. Totals: 13(2) 11/16 – 43.

Reach Robert Stegbauer at 937-393-3456 ext. 1679 or on Twitter @RStegbauer.

McClain’s Lexie Barton goes up for a layup in Thursday night’s game against Washington as her teammate Makenzie Montavon gets in postion to rebound.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/02/web1_Barton.jpgMcClain’s Lexie Barton goes up for a layup in Thursday night’s game against Washington as her teammate Makenzie Montavon gets in postion to rebound. Robert Stegbauer | The Times-Gazette

By Robert Stegbauer

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