You want to talk about defense? Okay, defense it is . The Lady Cubs played hard nose defense in the first round game in Mound City. This is why they were able to win tonight’s contest 34-24 and will play #1 seed Eureka on Friday .
Jayhawk Linn’s offensive motive all night was to ball fake then drive to the basket. Humboldt looked ready for everything they threw at them. They played help defense to shut down the baseline drive as good as I have seen them this season. I want to give some extra credit to Rylan Wilhite tonight . She pretty much guarded two people at a time all night long. And I have been saying all season that this team goes where Rylan goes.
There wasn’t a whole of scoring for either team. Humboldt would have a 7-4 lead after one quarter of play.
The second quarter was won by the Jayhawks but still couldn’t take the lead over the Lady Cubs. After a slow start being able to rebound Humboldt would get a little more aggressive with blocking out and attacking the ball after missed shots. Humboldt would go into halftime with the lead 18-17.
Coach Jones must of really preached aggressiveness and rebounding with her halftime speech. The #5 seed Lady Cubs would play there best quarter of the season defensively and with rebounding. They would only allow 1 third quarter point. After picking up her fourth foul early in the quarter junior Aricah McCall would have to sit awhile. Not to worry though because her teammates would pick her up . Winter Snyder and Wilhite would take over the game on the boards and controlling the tempo of the game. After three quarters of play Humboldt was up 24-18.
The last quarter of the game much like most seemed like it took forever for the final buzzer. Humboldt would do much of the same with pressure defense and rebounding . But this quarter they were able to hit some free throws. Which they needed to as they only shot 10-21 there on the night. Jayhawk Linn’s Rlyee Beckmon and Ryleigh Wilson would not give up this game and really tried getting a late comeback but it just wasn’t there on this night. These girls were flying around and playing tough throughout this mathup. But as soon as you thought the Jayhawks were coming then McCall and Maggie Johnson would hit a three point shot to swing the momentum back Humboldt’s way.
Humboldt would leave Mound City with the 34-24 victory. That sets up a third matchup with #1 seed Eureka Friday night in Wellsville. If the Lady Cubs will give the same effort and intensity they did tonight they should give the Tornadoes everything they can handle. They could really use the same type of crowd support they received tonight from the energetic student section and the parents. And I would like to point out that every girl in this game for both teams played their hearts out. I love seeing that kind of effort.
Notable stats
Rylan Wilhite 7 points 9 rebounds 3-4 @ the free throw line
Winter Snyder 6 points 8 rebounds
Aricah McCall 6 points 1-4 @ the free throw line
Maggie Johnson 5 points 5 rebounds 2-4 @ the free throw line
Jayhawk Linn
Ryleigh Wilson 6 points 5 rebounds
Indy Coffel 5 points 3-4 @ the free throw line
Good Luck next round Ladies!!!