Sports
Alexander Defense Shines in 49-17 Victory Over Wellston
< < Back toThe Alexander Lady Spartans (2-1) traveled to Wellston Thursday night to take on the Wellston Lady Golden Rockets (1-2), for a 49-17 victory.
The Lady Golden Rockets were without starting guards Lexi Humphreys and Jaci Jeffries for the game. Alexander took full advantage of that, leading the entire contest courtesy of an up-tempo defense. The Lady Spartans were in a full court man-to-man defense majority of the matchup. The pressure of the full court man-to-man defense resulted in 33 Wellston turnovers.
Wellston consistently could not push the ball over half court throughout the game.
“They don’t have their starting point guard or shooting guard, that kind of changes the way they play,” Alexander head coach Cory McKnight said. “They don’t have 33 turnovers with Humphreys and Jaci Jeffries playing, that doesn’t happen.”
Most of Alexander’s offense was created by their defense. The steals led to easy transition scores. Many of the Lady Spartan offensive rebounds allowed for easy second chance points throughout the game.
Offensively, the Lady Spartans struggled to execute from the field, shooting 18-of-60. The Lady Spartans could not generate a consistent offense against the Wellston zone defense. Alexander was led offensively and defensively by guards Leah Richardson and Jala Mace. Richardson scored 13 points and recorded six steals on the other side of the ball. Mace totaled six points offensively with a huge defensive night tallying four rebounds, five steals and two blocks.
Although the Lady Spartans ran away with the victory in Wellston, there is still room for improvement.
“We have to play in the half court better, we have to think better, and we have to play together,” McKnight said.
The Alexander Lady Spartans will be back on the hardwood Saturday Dec. 13 when they travel to River Valley, tipoff is at 7:30.