Lady Centurions “In the Mix” for #1 Spot
Marion County 54 CAL 51
Playing their third game in three days, the Lady Centurions came up just one shot short of forcing overtime against the #1 ranked Lady Knights of Marion County. As Coach Don Rice stated after the game, “Win or lose, it helped us. This game told us exactly where we are. We did well. We're right there in the mix (with the state's top teams).”
CAL arrived at tournament host Mercy’s Raatz Fence Classic riding a six-game winning streak and an overall record of 15-3 (primarily against ranked teams), but Marion County has yet to lose to an in-state opponent this season. In the 1st quarter, the teams traded baskets as they adapted to the opposing defense. The Lady Knights’ quickness rose to the forefront in the 2nd quarter as they scored repeatedly in transition, led by Makayla Epps, daughter of former University of Kentucky player Anthony Epps. Hitting only 1 of 7 three-point shots in the opening half, CAL trailed at halftime 23-16.
A game of scoring spurts, the Lady Centurions continued to chip away at the Lady Knights’ lead in the 3rd quarter as Antonita Slaughter found more room to maneuver from long and short range. When Marion County’s defense double-teamed Slaughter, Emily Walden drove the left side of the lane for a lay-up or to pass the ball to an open shooter. However, Marion County had answers in Epps and team-mate Bre Elder whose 11 rebounds allowed the Lady Knights to keep the ball out of CAL’s hands and to maintain a five-point margin at the end of the 3rd quarter.
When CAL starter China Dow fouled out and the Lady Knights raced to a 12-point lead at 48-36 midway through the 4th quarter behind the dribble-driving Epps, Coach Rice challenged the Lady Centurions to battle to the end.
Freshman Casey Marshall’s basket off an interior pass triggered the CAL comeback, followed by a Walden lay-up, and a Kate Joss basket after a turnover, trimming the deficit to 48-42. From that point, seniors Slaughter and Allison Karst led the way, supported by the defensive efforts of Marshall, Walden, and Joss. Although Epps hit essential free throws for her team, Slaughter’s turnaround jumper in the lane limited the margin to six points at 50-44. After another Marion County free throw, Karst finally broke through, scoring two field goals in succession as the press caused a Lady Knight turnover, making it a one-possession game at 51-48. Epps continue to show her composure at the charity stripe, but Slaughter sliced the lead to two at 53-51 with a 3-pointer at the 00:16 mark. A final Epps free throw at 00:14 gave CAL the possession and the chance to tie the score. Two 3-point attempts by Karst just missed the mark to award an anxious Marion County the win.
Sideline notes
--The Lady Centurions may not have gained the victory, but they should gain confidence from the team comeback against the #1 squad in the state. With seven players scoring and everyone contributing defensively, they responded when many may have thought the game out of reach.
--CAL is “in the mix” even without a key component, forward Anna Hart who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the January 16 game at Lexington Catholic and will have surgery in early February. However, she revealed her positive spirit by stating, “I’ll find a way to get through this and those girls (her teammates) are gonna be a huge part of it,” and cheering from the sidelines.
--Fan support: Lady Knights’ fans substantially outnumbered and out cheered CAL fans on this occasion, a highly anticipated game between top teams on a neutral floor closer to CAL than Marion County. Although certainly appreciative of those who were there to spur on the Lady Centurions, it’s likely that the team and coaches would be encouraged by a large turnout for future games, including this week’s LIT.
Game scoring by quarter
CAL 9 7 14 21 51
Marion Co. 10 13 12 19 54
Player statistics
CAL: Antonita Slaughter (18 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals), Allison Karst (8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals), Casey Marshall (8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals), China Dow (7 points, 5 rebounds), Emily Walden (6 points, 5 rebounds), Paige Gardner (2 points, 3 rebounds), Kate Joss (2 points)
CAL 42 Sacred Heart 38
The Lady Centurions began a three-day stretch of games this past week against the Valkyries of Sacred Heart. Even after suffering the significant losses of 7th region all-stars Autumn Miller and Jackie Hafele to injuries, Valkyries’ Coach Donna Moir excels at extracting the best efforts of her players.
Playing their first game without starter Anna Hart, CAL’s uneven offensive execution produced a season-low number of assists. Fortunately, freshman China Dow provided a season-high outing with 19 points and 17 rebounds. In the opening half, Dow scored 11 of the Lady Centurions’ 12 points and Sacred Heart center Morgan Clemons was effective in the paint, scoring 7 points as the teams struggled to a stalemate.
In the second half, Antonita Slaughter awoke for 17 points as CAL jumped out to an 8-point lead early in the 3rd quarter at 22-14. The Valkyries then took flight in the form of Maddie Peabody who scored all 13 of her points after halftime and CAL’s lead was cut to three by the end of the 3rd quarter. Kate Joss and Casey Marshall ignited a defensive spark, clamping down on Peabody’s open looks and creating a few turnovers against a well-disciplined Sacred Heart offense. China Dow continued to rebound and score on second-chance opportunities and the Lady Centurions confirmed the win by hitting 10 of 13 free throws.
Sideline notes
--Not a pretty game for CAL, but a win is a win, especially a road win against an always tough 7th region opponent. The Lady Centurions shot only 32% for the game, but held the Valkyries to 31%.
--As the Lady Centurions adjust to playing without Hart, a one-on-one offensive scheme may meet with limited success against deeper teams, so hopefully a higher number of assists and a better scoring balance will become evident.
Game scoring by quarter
CAL 5 7 18 12 42
Sacred Heart 5 7 15 11 38
Player statistics
CAL: China Dow (19 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3steals, Antonita Slaughter (17 points, 9 rebounds), Casey Marshall (5 points, 2 steals), Emily Walden (1 point)
CAL 56 Anderson County 45
The Lady Centurions marched to a 19-6 advantage in the 1st quarter, led 28-15 at half-time, and by 21 points late in the 3rd quarter at 45-24. In the 2nd half, Coach Rice had substituted for every starter and every CAL player received significant court time. However, Anderson County is ranked first in the 8th region for a reason and center Sydney Brown and forward Ariel McKee found interior shots to their liking, reducing CAL’s lead to 7 points at 52-45 before the Lady Centurions scored the final four to close out the game, led by Allison Karst’s 21 points and Antonita Slaughter’s 16 points in about three quarters of playing time. Forward Madison Duff added valuable 5 points off the bench, including a three-pointer.
Game scoring by quarter
CAL 19 9 19 9 56
Anderson Co. 6 9 13 17 45
Player statistics
CAL: Allison Karst (21 points, 4 rebounds), Antonita Slaughter (16 points, 12 rebounds), China Dow (11 points, 5 rebounds), Madison Duff (5 points), Emily Walden (3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals)
