Friday, January 4, 2013
Ladycats In Over Time
Daniel Rodgers, Sports
2013 started with a bang for both Lawrence County and Loretto, as they opened the second half of the season playing in Loretto.
The two teams met just 20 days ago as the Lady Cats turned a close ball game into a 57-41 win, pulling away with free throws down the stretch. Thursday night was simply round two.
With #11 Blake Ulewicz out with an injury, #23 Abby Clayton stepped into the starting role and gave the Lady Cats a boost.
Loretto won the tip and jumped out to an early lead, while LCHS hoisted up empty three point shots, unable to break the Loretto zone defense. Going into the second quarter, down 15-9, Clayton took over, leading the Lady Cats on a charge that would give them the tie, and by halftime, a two point lead, 26-24.
Loretto pushed back after halftime, forcing Lawrence County into going 0 for 6 from the three point line in the second half. Loretto took the lead back by the end of the third, going up 35-34.
LCHS kept up the defensive pressure, forcing Loretto into 5 turnovers to counter the loss of Clayton to fouls. Four quarters wasn’t enough to decide this game after the scoreboard showed 45-45 at the end of the fourth, so the teams took the court for 5 more minutes.
It was #13 Kaylie Pope who came up big with four huge points to give LCHS the lead and the eventual win 52-50.
Lawrence County was led by #23 Abby Clayton with 20 points, and the defense forced a total of 18 turnovers.
Loretto was led by #11 Rachel Burden with 13 points. The Loretto zone held LCHS to a meager 3-21 from the three point line.
The Lady Cats will face Lincoln County tomorrow night at Ralph Benson Memorial Gymnasium while the Lady Mustangs will put their 6-8 record on the line against Wilson High School Friday night.
