Hardwood Heroes
Physical defense haunts Vinton County in nail-biting loss
By: Jackson Huxel
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McARTHUR, Ohio (WOUB) – The 7-9 Vinton County Lady Vikings hosted the 9-5 Alexander Lady Spartans on Thursday night. The Lady Vikings came into the game riding a two-game win streak after a blowout win against Trimble, 63-29. The Lady Vikings came into this game looking for revenge after losing in OT to the Spartans 45-41. However, Vinton County didn’t get their revenge, as it lost 33-30.
The first quarter didn’t feature a lot of scoring as both teams struggled from the field. Vinton County’s Kylie Smith had three blocks, showing the intensity of both teams. The first quarter ended with both teams tied 6-6.
In the second quarter, shots started to fall for both teams and many tough fouls kept the game close, as Alexander went 9/13 from the line. Kaylee Hudnall was perfect in the first half from the line going 5/5. The Vikings’ defense locked down the deep ball as Alexander went 0-4 from behind the arc. Coach Brett Jones started sending defensive presses. Coach Jones stated this, “We felt pressing them would limit them to walking it up and wear them down.” The Lady Vikings went into halftime leading Alexander 18-17.
The third quarter was a whole other story as Alexander started the third quarter with the first bucket and their first lead of the game. However, the Vikings dialed up the heat going on a 9-2 run six of which came from Smith and continuing to keep the Spartans scoreless from deep. This allowed the Vikings to go into the fourth quarter leading 27-21.
In the fourth quarter, Alexander was unstoppable as it continued their dominance from the free throw line and paint. The late surge was led by Mckenna Moore as she was denying shots, finishing the game with four blocks and a steal. Kaylee Hudnall finished the game perfectly from the line going 8/8 and adding two steals, allowing Alexander to win 33-30. Alexander finished the game 16/21 from the line. Coach Jones commented on Alexander’s free throw success. “We became conscious of who to foul and they got to the line, and they were able to convert on 16 trips props to them they got to the line and converted.”
The Lady Vikings look to clinch a spot in the playoffs as they travel to the River Valley on January 29th at 7:30 P.M.