Lady Eagles decimate Tigers
JASON LAWRENCE/DAILY FORUM
Jefferson sophomore guard Sarah Chor lays in two points over Worth County senior Ally Buffington in Friday’s 62-18 Lady Eagle victory in Grant City.
The Jefferson Lady Eagles used a 2-2-1 press to create several turnovers on the way to a 62-18 victory over the Lady Tigers to open the 2015 portion of their schedule.
The 2-2-1 press created easy scoring opportunities for Jefferson off Worth County turnovers and caused the Lady Tigers problems getting into their half-court offense when they were able to successfully navigate the Lady Eagles’ pressure.
“The press really took them out of their offensive flow,” Jefferson head coach Tyler Pedersen said. “We were a little rusty for our first game back after break, but defensively, we were solid.”
The Lady Eagles, 8-1 on the season and ranked No. 6 in the Class 1 Missouri Basketball Coaches Association poll, jumped out to 15-3 first quarter lead, as junior post Jessie Henry paced the Lady Eagles with six points in the opening frame. Senior Danae Schieber, making her first start of the season following her recovery from health problems, added four points.
“It’s good to have Danae back,” Pedersen said. “Her first game back was the (Bishop) LeBlond game (on Dec. 9), but tonight was her first start. She’s such a good passer at the high post and having her back will help us offensively, and she’s a good leader.”
By halftime, Jefferson had raced to a 32-7 lead as sophomore Kayla Schmitz scored five points in the quarter to pace the Lady Eagles’ offensive attack, while Henry added four points.
The Lady Eagles had their best scoring quarter in the third quarter, as they put 20 points on the board to increase the lead to 52-15. Jefferson then outscored the Tigers 10-3 in a time-shortened fourth quarter.
Henry led Jefferson in scoring with 16 points. She also pulled down nine rebounds and blocked a pair of Worth County shots. Sophomore guard Sarah Chor added 12 points, four rebounds and two assists to the Lady Eagle effort, while sophomore point guard Kelsi McQuinn posted totals of nine points, three rebounds and a pair of assists. Schieber celebrated her return the starting lineup with six points, three rebounds and three assists.
“We spent so much practice time before Christmas building our defense, and now is the time where we start to fine-tune our offense,” Pedersen said. “We’re starting to see where the shots are coming from and who’s taking them. Now we need to spend time in practice getting lots of shooting repetitions.”
The Lady Eagles are back in action at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 6 when they host Stanberry (4-3).
JASON LAWRENCE/DAILY FORUM
Jefferson junior post Jessie Henry powers in two of her game-high 16 points in Friday’s 62-18 Jefferson victory over Worth County. Henry also pulled down nine rebounds in the victory.
JASON LAWRENCE/DAILY FORUM
Jefferson sophomore guard Sarah Chor scores two of her 12 points despite a tough angle for the shot. The Lady Eagles downed Worth County 62-18 Friday in Grant City.
JASON LAWRENCE/DAILY FORUM
Jefferson freshman Mikayla Mattson makes her way to the basket in Friday’s 62-18 Lady Eagle victory over Worth County Friday in Grant City.
JASON LAWRENCE/DAILY FORUM
Jefferson senior Danae Schieber scores two of her six points in Jefferson’s 62-18 victory over Worth County. Schieber, returning from health problems, made her return to the starting lineup for the first time this season.
JASON LAWRENCE/DAILY FORUM
Jefferson sophomore guard Kelsi McQuinn takes a layup in traffic in the second half of the Lady Eagles’ 62-18 win over Worth County Friday night in Grant City. McQuinn finished with nine points, three rebounds and a pair of assists in the winning effort.
