The Switzerland County Lady Pacer varsity basketball team traveled to Versailles last Thursday night for a conference showdown with South Ripley, and after jumping out to a 17-2 lead after one quarter, the Lady Pacers couldn’t maintain the advantage, and fell by a final score of 58-48.
“I was very proud of the way we played in the first half of the game, but we had a very rough third quarter due to foul trouble and turnovers,” head coach Ashley Chase said. “We just can’t put together a whole game even though we have all the tools to do it.”
The first quarter was a big one, with sophomore center Eve Galbreath accounting for nine points in the opening period; while freshmen Kelsi Konkle and Makenzie Mathews each had a three-pointer and Brooke Todd contributed a bucket.
South Ripley, on the other hand, couldn’t get its offense in gear, managing only two freethrows – one by Rachel Hensley and one by Emily Cumberworth.
The second quarter was very evenly played, with Switzerland County maintaining its offensive intensity while South Ripley finally managed to get its offense running.
The Lady Raiders won the quarter by a 17-15 count, but Switzerland County continued to get outstanding shooting, as Kelsi Konkle hit two more three-pointers in the quarter and Makenzie Mathews made another trey.
Bre Ricketts, Brooke Todd, and Erika Coy all had baskets in the second quarter, and the teams went to halftime with Switzerland County holding a 32-19 advantage.
It was the third quarter where the Switzerland County offense stumbled, managing only six points over the eight minute stretch while South Ripley was scoring 17 points.
Bre Ricketts had a pair of freethrows in the quarter, and Eve Galbreath and Brooke Todd each had a basket, and although the Lady Pacer offense sputtered, the third quarter ended with Switzerland County still clinging to a two-point lead, 38-36
The final quarter saw the South Ripley offense explode, accounting for 22 points in the final stanza alone. The Lady Raiders when helped by 10 of those points coming at the freethrow line, and Rachel Hensley accounted for 11 of her game-high 24 points in the fourth period.
Kelsi Konkle continued her outstanding shooting for the Lady Pacers in the final quarter, connecting on another three-pointer – her fourth of the game; while Bre Ricketts contributed three points and Eve Galbreath and Brooke Todd each had two points.
But those 10 team points were not enough to stem the offensive run by South Ripley, and the Lady Raiders escaped with the conference win, 58-48.
Eve Galbreath continued her outstanding season, leading Switzerland County with 13 points in the contest; while Kelsi Konkle’s four three-pointers put her in double figures with 12.
Brooke Todd had eight points; Bre Ricketts finished with seven; and Makenzie Mathews’ two three-pointers accounted for her six points. Erika Coy contributed two points.
Rachel Hensley’s 24 points led all scorers, while Samantha Wilhoit and Sidney Steinhauer each were in double figures with 11 points apiece.
A big advantage came at the freethrow line, where South Ripley was 22-for-29 at the line; while Switzerland County was just 4-for-7.
The Lady Pacers had 13 two-pointers and six three-pointers; while the Lady Raiders had 15 two-pointers and a pair of three-pointers.
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In the junior varsity game, South Ripley defeated Switzerland County by a final score of 29-18.
Makenzie Mathews and Erika Coy led the Lady Pacers with five points each; while Emily Campbell and Courtney Pedraza each finished with four points each.