Sports
Eastern Runs Over Federal Hocking’s Effort
By: Earl Hopkins
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Only one word could be attributed to the Federal Hocking Lady Lancers defeat on Thursday: effort. An issue Coach Jeremy Tolson says has reoccurred throughout the season, resulting in the end of the team’s three game winning streak.
Again, the Lancers fall 51-36 to the conference power Eastern Lady Eagles. Federal Hocking’s low effort resulted in the Eagles’ offensive surge in the second half. They were out worked; they were out muscled; and too often they were out played. The Lancers were swept on the boards 23-17, giving up 10 offensive rebounds.
Which begs the question. Where was the effort?
Throughout the game the Eagles dictated the tempo on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the Lancers were unmatched. Their lack of an inside presence allowed several second chance points for Eagles center Elizabeth Collins, who scored four points and grabbed eight rebounds.
The Lady Lancer’s offense was neutralized due to the Lady Eagle‘s defense. They couldn’t rebound; they couldn’t pass the ball; and they couldn’t put up the points Tolson needed them to score.
Despite a 16 point and five rebound effort from guard Destiny Tabler, the Lancer’s didn’t execute down the stretch. With 6:12 left in the fourth quarter the team was scoreless for nearly four minutes, scoring only six points to close the game.
“I thought we battled for three quarters,” said Tolson. “But we lost it in the fourth quarter.”
The team’s effort simply wasn’t there.
Despite the Lancer’s loss, Coach Tolson says the game has shown the team’s improvement over the course of the season. He believes they can win a string of games in the latter part of their schedule. Possibly, to contend with the elite teams in the TVC-Hocking.
“We can get right back on the roll again,” said Coach Tolson as he explained their upcoming schedule. “I really feel like those are obtainable games for us.”
With this loss, the Lady Lancers slip to a record of 7-8 and 4-5 in conference. However, Tolson is optimistic about the team’s chances against Waterford on Monday, and his team’s ability to finish out the season strong.
But to contend against these teams, the effort has to be there all four quarters.