Lady Titans Power Past Commanderettes
Samuel Warren
Herald Staff
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The Mercer County Lady Titans (9-18) and Washington County Commanderettes (6-19) battled Saturday, Feb. 15, on the Chris Souder Court.
Both teams were firing on all cylinders in the opening quarter. Mercer jumped to an early lead thanks to star forward Izzie Carlton, who scored two baskets before freshman Olive Frisby nailed a three from the shoulder. The Lady Titans were up 7-2, but a turnover under their own basket and two quick Commanderette buckets forced an early timeout from the Lady Titan bench. Carlton dominated the first quarter. Every time the sophomore touched the ball good things happened. Annie Releford delivered a lobbed pass to Carlton for her fifth bucket of the first quarter, and one possession later Releford drained a three, but Washington’s shots were rolling in. With 59 seconds to go in the first quarter, Mercer led 17-16. Carlton led the Lady Titans with 11 points, 6 rebounds and a block in the opening period.
The second quarter was a completely different story. Both teams did a better job of protecting the paint and it showed on the scoreboard. Cardin Sickles perimeter defense resulted in a turnover and a free throw, and Carlton made two at the stripe herself. Carlton earned another block, but Mercer’s offense was struggling. Sickles fought hard for an offensive board and went straight back up for two just before the halftime buzzer. The Lady Titans trailed, 29-26.
“We were getting any shot we wanted, we just couldn’t put it in the basket. The easy misses got contagious and mental,” Coach Chris Souder said of first half offensive struggles.
Outside of halftime, Sickles drove straight to the basket and touched the ball off the glass for two. Back-to-back Lady Titans baskets from Carlton and Sickles reclaimed the lead for Mercer. Washington County responded with some acrobatic finishes through traffic that resulted in a three-point play, tying the game at 38. Sickles reclaimed momentum with a tough finish and an and one of her own. Mercer dominated the offensive glass, but struggled finishing inside. Carlton kept the Commanderettes at bay and earned her fourth block of the game, seconds later she was at the foul line and made one shot. Carlton attracted so much attention from the Commanderette defense, Sickles exploited the freedom to create her own shots. Sickles’ efforts coupled with another Frisby trey put the Lady Titans ahead 49-40 after three quarters.
Mercer County freshman Olive Frisby dribbled the ball around her defender during Mercer’s 68-53 win over Washington County. Frisby finished the game with 12 points from four made three-pointers.
Mercer County never looked back in the fourth quarter and Sickles broke free for an easy layup to start the quarter. Sickles got the Titans started with an easy layup, and next it was Carlton who was sent back to the line and made both shots. Releford received a pass on the wing and blew by her defender on the way to an easy basket. Sickles and Carlton connected again, and one possession later freshman Maddi Baker scored her first basket, giving the Lady Titans a 59-46 lead. Eighth grader Reese Ransdell earned her first basket, and in the closing moments, Frisby hit her fourth three of the game and Carlton earned her fifth block. In the end, Mercer earned their ninth win of the season, 68-53.
“We regrouped at halftime and the message was pretty simple. Create some easy baskets with your defense. We were able to do that but still left a lot of points on the court,” said Souder.
It wasn’t the most efficient of offensive displays, and the Lady Titans finished just 17-52 from the paint. Scoring the third highest number of points they have this season while shooting just below 33% near the basket is a positive sign according to Souder. The Lady Titans responded by spreading the ball and finding baskets other ways than dishing the ball to Carlton.
The Lady Titans will be back in action today, Thursday, Feb. 20, when they face Southwestern on the Chris Souder Court, in their final regular season matchup.
