Sports
Eastern Takes Over in Third Quarter over Federal Hocking
By: Ryan Lewis
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After a weak first half performance, Alyson Bailey and the Eastern Lady Eagles (9-3, 7-2) were able to put together a strong third quarter and cruise to a 57-43 win over TVC foe, Federal Hocking (1-12, 1-8).
In the third quarter alone, the Lady Eagles were able to double their halftime score and then some. They outscored the Lady Lancers 27-10 in the third quarter.
Bailey, who struggled in the first half going 2-8 on field goals, was able to turn it around in the third quarter.
“We talked to her at halftime,” Eastern’s head coach John Burdette said. “She came out and did a lot better.”
Burdette also praised Jess Parker for coming in as a freshman and playing point guard.
“You can’t ask for a freshman to do much better than that” Burdette said. “Especially without the senior leadership.”
She ended the game with 15 points and went 5-6 from the free throw line.
Bailey made her first four shots of the third quarter and finished the quarter with 10 points. Defensively, she was able to snag two steals. She finished the game shooting 6-14, including her three free throws she tallied 13 points total.
The Lady Eagles held the Lady Lancers’ leading scorer, Destiny Tabler, to just 13 total points and three rebounds.
The teams went into the half tied 20-20. The Lady Lancers played suffocating defense from the beginning and forced turnovers and mistakes on the Lady Eagles side.
The Lady Lancers’ stingy defense held the Lady Eagles to 30 percent, 7-23 shooting in the first half.
“They played hard, they hit their open shots,” Burdette said of Federal Hocking’s first half performance. “We have to get over that mental hump of not going.”
Burdette noted that the team is coming along though.
“I’m proud of the whole team,” Burdette said. “They’ve had a lot to deal with this year. They’ve overcome quite a bit.”
The Lady Eagles with take a day off and will be back on the court to take on Meigs at home on Saturday. The Lady Lancers will take on Wahama on Monday at home.