Friday, January 4, 2013
Turnovers Keep Wildcats In Game
Daniel Rodgers, Sports
After going 0-3 in tournament play, LCHS was ready to get back to regular season play Thursday night in Loretto. The last matchup ended in a Lawrence County win in Lawrenceburg. This time, the gym was packed in Loretto, as the Mustangs welcomed the Wildcats.
The game started with Lawrence County possessing the ball first as the jump was tipped around and finally knocked out of bounds. It would be a premonition for how the rest of the game would go.
LCHS and Loretto spent the first quarter feeling out the respective defenses, with the scoring at 8-6 Loretto at the end of the first. Lawrence County stayed on the three point line in the second, trying to soften up the Loretto defense.
Loretto stood strong, holding the Wildcats to 4-20 in the first half from the three line. LCHS eked out a slim lead at the half, 20-15.
Loretto came out of the half and stretched the Wildcat defense, scoring from every position on the court, and retook the lead, outscoring LCHS by nine points, and went into the final period with a 31-27 lead. Things would get chippy in the fourth as bodies hit the ground early.
Loretto was called for an intentional foul on a fast break chance and LCHS hit both free throws and scored on the next play to take the lead again. Ninety seconds later, LCHS was called for their own intentional foul.
After Loretto failed to convert either free throw into points, the Wildcats forced a turnover and started building momentum. After doubling up Loretto in the fourth quarter, LCHS left the building with a 51-43 win.
The Wildcats were led by #42 Heath Mansfield who poured in 19 points. The defense forced Loretto into 15 turnovers, which gave the Wildcats a chance to stay in the game.
Loretto shot 41% from the court while LCHS hit 35% of their shots.
The win pushes Lawrence Countie’s record to 9-6 with a chance to start a new win streak tomorrow night against Lincoln County in Lawrenceburg.
Loretto will travel to Perry County next Tuesday night to face the Vikings.
