Last Thursday night, the Switzerland County Lady Pacers spoiled Senior Night festivities for the South Ripley Lady Raiders.
Monday night, with a piece of the conference title on the line, Southwestern rolled into Vevay and spoiled the Senior Night of Lady Pacer players Brittany Cole, Holly Jackson, and Jaclyn Ranz, winning by a final score of 52-46.
The game was tightly played and emotional throughout, with both teams taking turns trying to establish a grasp on a solid lead; while the other would respond with a solid comeback to keep the game in doubt.
Switzerland County got off to a quick start, getting baskets by Ashley Bright and a steal and layup from Ashley Chase to take a 4-2 lead.
Southwestern came back, outscoring the Lady Pacers 14-3 over the remainder of the period to hold a 16-7 advantage at the first break.
The Lady Pacers looked sluggish and tight early in the game, and had trouble maneuvering through the Lady Rebel pressure defense.
Ashley Chase opened the second period with a basket, but Southwestern reeled off six straight points to extend their advantage to 13 points. That’s when Switzerland County got rolling.
A basket by Ashley Chase was followed by two straight three-pointers from Kodi Driver, and with 3:39 to play the Lady Pacers were right back in the contest.
Southwestern countered with string of nine straight points that gave the visitors a 31-17 advantage with less than a minute to play.
Jaclyn Ranz converted a three-point play to sneak the Lady Pacers a little closer; but a last second jumper by Devin Brierly pushed the Lady Rebels out to a 33-20 advantage at the half.
The lead grew moments later when Kayla Hay scored inside — but it was time for Ashley Chase to be heard from.
Perhaps the most dominant player in all facets of the game in the conference, Ashley Chase single handedly took over the next few minutes of the game, scoring nine of Switzerland County’s 11 points from an 11-3 run that got the Lady Pacers right back into the game.
Up by seven, Devin Brierly scored for Southwestern, but Ashley Chase again rose to the challenge, converting a traditional three-point play to make the deficit six. Another bucket by Devin Brierly was matched by Brittany Cole, and with three quarters in the books, Southwestern held a 42-36 lead.
Ashley Chase opened the final period with a basket that cut the lead to four; but Sonja Bowyer matched that. Natalie Daugherty then drilled a baseline jumper; but Kayla Hay got free inside on two straight possessions to give the Lady Rebels some breathing room, 48-40, with more than five minutes to play.
The lead would grow to 11 before Ashley Chase hit a runner to stop the streak. Brittany Cole then got free inside for a basket to cut the lead to seven.
After a defensive stand, Ashley Chase was fouled and went to the line for the one and bonus. She missed the first, but Brittany Cole swept in and grabbed the offensive rebound. Her put back found the range, and with a minute to play the Lady Pacers were back within five.
Switzerland County had another chance at the 18-second mark when Southwestern’s Sonja Bowyer missed the front end of a one and bonus freethrow opportunity; but the Lady Rebels got to the rebound, and Jesse Oliver was fouled as the clock wound down.
She made one of two attempts, leading to the final 52-46 count.
Ashley Chase led all scorers with 23 points in the game, while Brittany Cole was also in double figures with 11. Kodi Driver ended with six points; Jaclyn Ranz had three; and Ashley Bright and Natalie Daugherty had two each.
Kayla Hay led Southwestern with 19 points; and Devin Brierly added 16.
The win means that Southwestern will share the conference championship with the winner of tonight’s (Thursday’s) game between South Ripley and Jac-Cen-Del. Switzerland County stands at 3-2 in ORVC play heading into tonight’s finale with Madison Shawe.
The schedule says that tonight’s game is at Madison Shawe, but the game has been moved here for a varsity only contest getting underway at 7:30 p.m.
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The Lady Pacer junior varsity fell to Southwestern by a final score of 43-34.
Courtney Cole led Switzerland County with 11 points; while Tanya Sefton and Jennifer South finished with seven points each. Brittany Hall had six points; April Thieman added two points; and Amber Smith contributed one point.
It was the jayvee’s final game of the season, as Shawe does not have a junior varsity squad.