Scotland County Turns Tables On Lady Eagles

Scotland County Turns Tables On Lady EaglesBy David Sharp
Knox County handed Scotland County a come from behind loss in the final ten seconds of their previous meeting at Knox County. It was the Lady Tigers’ turn to celebrate a last second win in the championship semi-finals of the 2009 North Shelby Tournament.
Valerie Oldham scored a Scotland County basket with 7.2 seconds remaining in an intense contest lifting the Lady Tigers (10-5) to a 38-37 win. Kaitlin Caldwell sealed the victory with a steal in the game’s final 2.5 seconds.
The deal sealing steal was at the exact point in the contest that saw Tessa Ramer sink two Knox County free throws for a 32-30 KCHS Courtwarming Game victory. Free throw shooting played a role in the outcome of the North Shelby Tournament game as well.
Neither team converted well at the charity stripe. Knox County sank only nine of 23 free throws for 39%. Scotland County went 5-13 at the free throw line for 38%.
Any team coming up on the short end of a low scoring defensive contest such as this will look hard at their free throw line production at the end of the day.
Scotland County came out well and dominated the Lady Eagles early in the contest.
The Lady Tigers converted Knox County turnovers into points and scored the game’s first ten points. Stacey Leckbee put Knox County on the board at the 3:35 mark of period one, trimming the Scotland County edge to 10-2.
Melissa Cotton buried a three pointer with 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter for a 13-3 Scotland County lead after one quarter of basketball. The Lady Eagles (6-7) fought back into the game on the offensive boards.
Knox County rebounded 15 of their missed shots in the first half. The Lady Eagles pulled down 29 rebounds on the night unofficially. Scotland County held an 18-7 lead with 3:15 showing on the first half clock.
Myra Parrish sank a three pointer with 2:15 to play until halftime for an 18-12 Scotland County margin. Lorrie Peters made the Lady Tigers pay for a late half turnover, scoring the final points of the first half at the 15 second mark for a 20-15 halftime score.
Knox County survived one of their worst starts of the season and were in a position to win another come from behind decision. “They needed a score and they got it at a crucial point of the game,” commented KCHS coach John Weaver.
“We fought back in the second half. We took some good shots,” said Weaver. “We needed some key shots to fall and they didn’t. When you shoot 39% from the free throw line, you are just not going to win very many games.”
“The three times we have played Scotland County, free throws and who made the plays in the fourth quarter have been the difference.”
Amanda Woods pulled the Lady Eagles within a 20-16 margin with a KCHS free throw at the beginning of the third quarter. Scotland County was able to build as much as a 12 point lead in the first four minutes of the period.
Knox County fought back on the offensive glass. The Lady Tigers led 28-25 after three quarters. Amber Ausmus capped an 11-2 Knox County run with a 16 footer at the 6:40 mark of the fourth quarter. Knox County pulled within a 28-27 deficit.
The Lady Eagles missed two key free throws and had another chance to take the lead ring off the rim. Tessa Ramer buried a home run ball for a 30-29 Knox County lead, their first of the game at the 5:09 mark of regulation time.
Valerie Oldham tied the game seconds later with a Scotland County free throw. The intense battle for supremacy heated up. Amber Ausmus and Tessa Ramer sank KCHS free throws. Tessa Ramer gave Knox County a 32-30 lead with 3:37 remaining.
The final score of this contest would not be the same as the January 16 meeting. Tessa Ramer drove the lane for another Lady Eagle hoop. Scotland County faced foul trouble and a 34-30 KCHS lead with three minutes to play in the game.
Valerie Oldham knotted the score at 34 with 2:02 on the clock. Lorrie Peters powered in a score for a 36-34 Knox County edge. Deidra Dochterman tied the affair with 1:11 to go at 36.
Lorrie Peters sank the second of two free throws with 19.9 seconds left for a 37-36 Knox County lead. Scotland County was able to work Valerie Oldham free for a Scotland County basket and a 38-37 lead.
Knox County called a time out and moved the ball up the court as time ran down. Kaitlin Caldwell intercepted a pass near the scorers’ table. Time ran out on a great game, won by Scotland County on a single point.
Kelsey Frazier led Scotland County with 11 points. Deidra Dochterman and Melissa Cotton scored six SC points each. “This is a big win for us. Knox County really hustled tonight,” said Scotland County coach Jaryt Hunziker. “We have got to do a better job rebounding.
“It’s nice to see the kids step up, not just on the offensive end,” said Hunziker. “The girls stepped up on the defensive end with 2.5 seconds to play. It will be nice to play for our second championship of the year.”
Scotland County won the Novinger Tournament earlier in the season. Tessa Ramer scored a game high 15 Knox County points along with three steals. Lorrie Peters scored eight points, pulled down 11 rebounds and recorded three steals.
Katie Ausmus scored three points, had six rebounds and three assists. Myra Parrish and Amber Ausmus scored three points each. Stacey Leckbee tossed in four KCHS points. Amanda Woods added one Knox County point.