The New Washington Lady Mustangs are currently ranked #14 in Class A in the state of Indiana – but the lofty ranking didn’t keep the Switzerland County Lady Pacers from playing a tough and hard-fought game last Saturday afternoon.
Keeping it close throughout, the Lady Pacers couldn’t hold on at the end, and New Washington escaped with a 48-33.
The young Lady Pacers came out playing stingy defense and solid offense, matching New Washington in the first quarter to end the period in an 8-8 tie.
The Lady Mustangs bounced back in the second quarter, scoring 14 points, but the Lady Pacers held tough, scoring nine points of their own to trail by just five, 22-17 at the half/
The third quarter mirrored the second, with New Washington again winning the period by a 14-9 count, but Switzerland County stayed right in the game and didn’t allow things to get out of control on either end of the floor.
Switzerland County closed to within a point in the third period, getting to a 25-24 score with 3:25 to play, but New Washington pulled away late in the period to claim a double digit lead.
With a quarter to go, the Lady Mustangs led by just 10, 36-26.
The final quarter was just as hard-fought as the first three, as Switzerland County kept battling and didn’t give up in the game, and New Washington kept fighting to protect its lofty ranking.
The Lady Mustangs would win the quarter by a 12-7 count, and as the final buzzer sounded and New Washington escaped with a 48-33 victory, everyone knew that it was a much closer game than the final score indicated.
“I’m very proud of our effort,” Head Coach Ashley Chase said of the game. “I look forward to our future games if we play like we did today.”
Switzerland County was led by Mercedes Parham, who had eight points, including a three-pointer; while Eve Galbreath finished with six points.
Brooke Todd had five points in the game; and Makenzie Mathews connected on a three-pointer to also have five points in the contest. Bre Ricketts added four points; Kelsi Konkle hit a three-pointer to finish with three points; and Hailee Lay had two points in the loss.
Caroline Ricks led all scorers, pacing New Washington with 21 points and 14 rebounds.