Clark Co. Sinks OT Free Throws for Putnam Co. Girl’s Tourney Win

Clark Co. Sinks OT Free Throws for Putnam Co. Girl’s Tourney Win

By David Sharp

Brittani Miller and Leighanne Moulder connected on Clark County free throw sin the final 33 seconds of overtime lifting Clark County (2-2) to a 46-41 overtime victory over Knox County.
The Lady Indians dropped an overtime decision to eventual tournament winner South Harrison on November 30.
Both teams had ample opportunity to win the game in regulation. Knox County (1-2) was 11 of 26 at the free throw line. Clark County went 18-32 at the charity stripe. There were plenty of turnovers and missed inside shots on both sides.
Clark County rallied from an early three point deficit for a 17-10 lead with 4:40 remaining in the first half. Amber Ausmus and Kathleen Hinkle sank Knox County free throws during a 6-1 Lady Eagle half closing run.
Brittani Miller’s free throw with 35 seconds in period two helped keep Clark County up 18-16 at the half. The second half was a hard fought defensive struggle.
Stacey Leckbee stole the basketball; setting up two Kathleen Hinkle free throws and a 20-18 Lady Eagle lead with 6:19 showing on the third quarter clock. Kailee Roberts and Katie Simpson were key contributors to an 11-2 Clark County run to a 29-22 lead with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Clark County took a 29-26 lead to the fourth quarter.
Clark County led much of a tense fourth quarter. The Lady Indians could not extend their lead past three points in the fourth quarter. Both teams were in foul trouble. Chelsea Edmondson and Megan Brennan were able to stay on the floor, finishing with four fouls each.
Kailee Roberts fouled out with 47 seconds remaining in overtime. Knox County had starters Stacey Leckbee and Kathleen Hinkle foul out of the contest. Hannah Strange finished with four fouls.
Hannah Dale canned a huge Knox County three ball with 67 seconds remaining in regulation time. Leighanne Moulder tied the game with two Clark County free throws at the 55 second mark of regulation time.
Knox County threw the ball away trying to get the basketball to the post seconds later. Kathleen Hinkle fouled out of the contest with 29 seconds to play in the fourth quarter and the game tied at 36.
Clark County missed both free throws. Kailee Roberts rebounded for Clark County. Knox County stole the ball back. The Lady Eagles turned the basketball over with 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter on alternating possession.
Clark County could not get off a potential game winning shot. Katie Simpson sank a free throw about 40 seconds into overtime for a 37-36 Lady Indian lead.
Amber Ausmus drained another key Knox County three pointer with 2:58 showing on the overtime clock. Megan Brennan tied the game with two free throws at the 1:20 mark. Stacey Leckbee fouled out on the play.
Katie Simpson sank two pressure packed Clark County free throws for a 42-41 Lady Indian lead. Devin Gudehus became the third Knox County player to foul out of the contest.
Knox County missed an inside shot that could have won the game with 20 seconds remaining in overtime. Leighanne Moulder put Clark County up 43-41 with a free throw at the 16 second mark. Clark County stole the ball after Knox County rebounded.
Brittani Miller scored for Clark County. The Lady Indians wound up with two steals in the final 18 seconds of the contest. Clark County took second in the Putnam County Tournament with the 46-41 victory.
Bethany-South Harrison won the girls’ tournament championship. Knox County was third followed by Putnam County.
“The big stat that is going to come out of this game is free throws. We were 6-18 in the first half,” Knox County coach John Weaver said. “We didn’t have enough quality possessions. Some one has to step up and hit shots.”
“We did that at times. Then you have to follow that up with a stop on defense and we weren’t able to do that,” John Weaver said. “We put them on the line too many times. Our four year starting point guard fouled out at a crucial time.”
“We turned the ball over four times in the last minutes. You can’t do that and expect to win,” Coach Weaver said. “We have got to find a way to execute and get stronger. We have a long way to go to get better.”
Chelsea Edmondson led Clark County with 11 points. Megan Brennan and Katie Simpson scored nine Lady Indian points each. Kailee Roberts put in eight points.
Leighanne Moulder and Brittani Miller scored three Clark County points each. Jenna Huston added two Lady Indian points. “This was not a good game compared to the last two games we have played by any means,” Clark County coach Kelli Campbell said.
“We were fortunate enough to get into overtime. (Coach John Weaver) can probably say the same thing,” Kelli Campbell said. “There were times that we executed. It was a very sloppy game.”
“We didn’t finish. We had several lay ups that we blew. We got in foul trouble,” said Coach Campbell.
“We want to play pressure defense, but we have go to keep our hands off of them. I told the team that these were your four minutes. If you want to win the game, you are going to have to perform and live with it.”
“Megan Brennan really stepped up,” said Campbell. “She felt like she lost the (South Harrison) game not making free throws. She made free throws when she had to.”