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Kirksville Girls Stop Lady Eagles

Kirksville Girls Stop Lady Eagles
By David Sharp

Knox County jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the first minutes of a June 19 Schuyler County shootout girls’ basketball game with Kirksville.
The Lady Tigers triple teamed senior forward Lorrie Peters on the blocks and shut down Knox County scoring in the latter stages of the first half.
Kirksville worked the Lady Eagles over on the blocks, forging a 17-8 halftime lead. Knox County sophomore Kelsey Cahalan was one of the best players on the floor during the second half, leading the Lady Eagles back from a 12 point deficit to a 33-28 Kirksville win.
The Lady Tigers took a 7-6 lead with 8:38 to play in the first half. Brashear transfer Emily Ladwig sank a 16 footer for a 15-8 Kirksville lead with 66 seconds showing on the first half clock.
Incoming sophomore Macy Rogers stated she would attend Kirksville High School this fall and participated in this contest for the Lady Tigers. Macy Rogers and Emily Ladwig were Brashear starters in softball and basketball last season.
 Kelsey Cahalan pulled down offensive rebounds on two consecutive possessions. Cahalan sparked the KCHS offense and scored with 8:44 to play in the game. The bucket trimmed a 12 point deficit to 26-16.
Kelsey Cahalan buried a three pointer at the 7:35 mark for a 26-19 Kirksville lead. Hannah Dale and Brittany Miller scored Knox County baskets. Kirksville led 30-23 with five minutes to play.
Knox County pressured Kirksville guards and disrupted the Lady Tiger offense. Katie Ausmus pulled her team within a 32-25 deficit at the four minute mark. Lorrie Peters powered the ball through the cylinder for a 32-28 Kirksville lead with 25 seconds to play in the game.
Kelsey Cahalan led Knox County with seven points, all in the second half. “We are looking for people to step up on both ends of the floor,” said KCHS coach John Weaver.
 “Tessa Ramer took 13 shots a game for us last year. Somebody has to replace those,” said Weaver. “We got some girls to take those today, we just weren’t able to knock them down. If we make three or four more shots we win the game.”
“We gave up 33 points in 32 minutes. That’s not bad considering there are several 5’10” and 5’11” girls out there and a six footer (playing for Class 4 Kirksville).”
“They were double teaming Lorrie (Peters) inside,” said Coach Weaver. “Kelsey (Cahalan) came in and hit a couple of shots when we needed them. They were leaving our guards alone because we weren’t hitting anything.”
Knox County did a better job of creating turnovers and running the court late in the game. “We are just trying to jell as a team,” said Kirksville coach Sara Williams. “I thought Knox (County) did a good job on the boards as they always do. We just have to do a better job of boxing out.”
 “It’s just nice to be able to play some people I am familiar with,” said the former Brashear coach.