Lady Pacer second half offensive explosion fuels victory over Rising Sun

466

The Switzerland County Lady Pacers defeated Rising Sun by a score of 67-47 in a game Tuesday night.

The Lady Pacers started off the scoring with all five starters scoring in the first three minutes before the Lady Shiners had a chance to score. Natalie Daugherty started with a basket; Ashley Bright and Kodi Driver each hit a three-point basket; April Thieman then added a basket; and Ashley Chase followed with a three-point play, giving the Lady Pacers the lead 13-0.

The Lady Shiners then scored a three-point shot to get on the board. Ashley Chase rebounded and was up for a shot and was fouled she added two more at the foul line to make the score 15-3. The Lady Shiners scored two baskets; and Ashley Chase added two more at the charity stripe to push the lead back to double figures, 17-7.

Rising Sun then scored a basket and a freethrow at the line; and then Lady Pacer Courtney Cole finished off the first quarter at the line by chipping in one to end the scoring for the first quarter with Lady Pacers still leading, 18-12.

The second period started off with the Lady Pacers sending the Lady Shiners to the line for two points. April Thieman then added one at the line for the Lady Pacers; and the Lady Shiners replied back with a three-point shot — getting within reach of the Lady Pacers by two with a score now of 19-17.

Ashley Bright then scored a three-point basket to extend the lead back to five points; but the Lady Shiners then went on a run, scoring several times with a basket and a three-point shot and a basket plus one at the line to grab the lead by a score of 25-22.

Lady Pacer Ashley Chase was then fouled twice and connected with all four at the line; and then added a basket to take back the lead, 28-25. Rising Sun then added another basket, and Ashley Bright added two at the line to keep the Lady Pacers in the lead, 30-27.

The Lady Shiners then finished out the half with two baskets, again taking the lead into the locker room 31-30.

Rising Sun outscored the Lady Pacers 19-12 in the second stanza.

The second half started off with Lady Pacer Ashley Bright hitting two baskets and Courtney Cole adding a bucket in the first minute of the quarter, shoving Switzerland County back out in front by a score of 36-31. The Lady Shiners tried to answer the run, but could only manage one basket before the Lady Pacers went on another scoring rampage with Ashley Chase hitting a basket; Ashley Bright adding two at the line; and Kodi Driver adding a basket.

Ashley Chase added another basket to keep the string rolling; and April Thieman chipped in two at the line before the Lady Shiners were able to add another bucket, taking the score to 46-35.

Before the third quarter ended, Ashley Bright added one more at the line; which ending the quarter with Switzerland County holding a 12-point lead, 47-35, after outscoring their guests by a 17-4 count in the period.

The final period started off with Courtney Cole hitting a basket; but the Lady Shiners replied with a basket of their own to keep the deficit at 12 points.

April Thieman was then fouled and added one at the line; and Courtney Cole connected on another basket to expand the lead to 52-37.

Already holding a commanding 15-point lead, the Lady Pacers then went on another offensive run, with Ashley Chase scoring three baskets; Ashley Bright and April Thieman each scoring a basket and Courtney Cole chipping in one at the line.

The charge ballooned the lead to 26 points, 63-37.

Natalie Daugherty was hit with her fifth and final foul with 2:18 left in the game; and Rising Sun took advantage of the loss of the Lady Pacers’ best defender by scoring a basket and a three-point shot — but it was not enough, as they still trailed by a 63-45 count.

Ashley Bright added two at the line; and so did the Lady Shiners to make the score 65-47. The Lady Shiners fouled one last time sending Morgan Ross to the line adding two; ending the game at 67-47.

Ashley Chase had a double-double, with 23 points and 18 rebounds; and Ashley Bright finished with 19 points and had five steals. April Thieman and Courtney Cole each finished with eight points; Kodi Driver had five points; and Natalie Daugherty and Morgan Ross each finished with two points apiece.

*

The Switzerland County jayvee team won against Rising Sun Shiners jayvee 40-19. Leading scorer with double digits was Morgan Ross with 13 points. Megan McCarty finished with eight; Brittany Hall added seven while Tanya Sefton finished with six. Shana Todd had four and Lauren Chase chipped in two.

— Debi Sefton