Coming off a 10-day layoff and getting back two of its senior starters, Coach Ashley Kitts’ Switzerland County Lady Pacers didn’t waste much time on Tuesday night, rolling over foe Milan by a score of 73-36.
With Kelsi Konkle and Makenzie Mathews back on the court after multiple game absences, it was junior Whitley Schirmer who took over the contest, accounting for 10 of her game-high 22 points in the second quarter alone during the rout. Brooke Todd was also in double figures with 20; as was Konkle, who ended with 14 points.
It was over pretty early, as Switzerland County jumped out to an 18-3 lead after just one quarter. Mallory Phagan did extensive damage in the first period, accounting for eight points; while Konkle and Todd had four each and Schirmer had two.
Milan’s only points of the quarter came on a three-pointer by Lexi Wert.
In firm control, the Lady Pacers kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter, outscoring the visiting Lady Indians 23-5 in the stanza to take a 41-8 lead into halftime.
Schirmer was spotlighted in the second, scoring 10 points, including a perfect 4-for-4 from the freethrow line; while Todd had eight points on four buckets. Konkle added four more in her steady play; and Hope Tankersley added a freethrow.
As for Milan, three of its five points came from the freethrow line; with a bucket by Baylee Yorn the only field goal of the period; and at halftime the Lady Indians had made only two shots from the floor.
The third quarter was a little more balanced, with the Lady Pacers outscoring their guests by an 18-12 count to further extend their lead.
The third eight minute span saw strong balance from Switzerland County on the offensive end, something that will pose nightmares for opposing teams as the season wears on.
Todd had six in the stanza; while Konkle and Schirmer each had four. Tankersley had another freethrow; and Mathews – playing with a mask to protect her broken nose, drilled a three-pointer.
Alexa Burton and Wert each had four points in the third quarter for the Lady Indians, but with just one period to play, Switzerland County was firmly in control, 59-20.
The final quarter again saw Switzerland County dominate, outscoring Milan by a 14-6 count to make the final margin 46 points, 73-26.
In that fourth quarter, offensive balance was again the norm; with Schirmer had six points; Tankersley also had six; Todd chipped in four more; and Konkle contributed another bucket.
Schirmer led the way for Switzerland County with 22 points on the night; and also contributed eight rebounds, four steals, and one block.
Todd finished with 20 points and 12 assists to record another double-double – and in the process became the all time leader in assists in school history. She also had four rebounds and seven steals.
Konkle had 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, four steals and a block in her first game back from illness; while Phagan had eight point and two rebounds; Tankersley had six points, four rebounds, and three steals; and Mathews added three points, five boards, three assists and a steal to the effort.
Taylar Jordan continued her strong inside play with five rebounds on the night.
The win pushed the Switzerland County overall record to 5-2, and the Lady Pacers earned their first conference win of the season, and are now 1-0 in ORVC play.
Up next for Switzerland County is an away game this Saturday at Christian Academy of Indiana in New Albany with junior varsity tip off at 6 p.m. This Tuesday, December 8th, Switzerland County comes back home to play Owen County (Kentucky); and then travels to Madison to play Shawe Memorial on Saturday, December 12th.
*
In the junior varsity game, Milan defeated Switzerland County by a score of 36-32.
Jody Breeck was the leading scorer for the Lady Pacers, finishing with 13 points; while Kinley Morton was in double figures with 12 pints.
Lexi Lay contributed four points; and Emerson Schroer had three points.