Duvalls pace SC
to opening win, 46-24
The Switzerland County Lady Pacer basketball team opened a new season with a new coach and lots of promise last Tuesday night with a road game against South Dearborn.
It was the debut of varsity head coach Brooke Todd and was also her first career victory, as her troops came away with a 46-24 win over the Lady Knights.
The first half really told the story of the contest, as Switzerland County outscored their hosts 11-7 in the first period and then followed that up with a 15-3 margin in the second stanza to take a 26-10 lead into halftime.
In that opening period, Jessie Duvall converted two field goals for four points; sister Maddie Duvall drilled a three-pointer; and Macy Collier added a field goal. Halle Archer rounded out the opening scoring with a pair of freethrows.
Holding a four-point advantage, Switzerland County made is offensive move in the second, scoring 15 points on the strength of 6-of-7 shooting from the freethrow line.
Jessie Duvall led the way with eight points coming on the strength of two field goals and four freethrows; and Maddie Duvall also stayed hot in the quarter with seven points in the stanza on a three-pointer, a field goal, and two freethrows.
Holding a halftime lead of 16 points, Switzerland County saw the offense slow a bit coming out of the halftime break, but still managed to outscore South Dearborn by a 10-6 count to increase the lead to 20 points after three.
Courtney Higgins had four points in the third on two field goals; and both Maddie and Jessie Duvall had three points off of field goals and a freethrow.
The final stanza was again close, but once again Switzerland County managed to extend its overall lead, besting South Dearborn by a 10-8 count in the last eight minutes to make the final margin 22 points — 46-24.
Maddie Duvall have half of the Switzerland County points in the fourth on a field goal and three freethrows; while Jessie Duvall added two freethrows; Nora Hankins had a bucket; and Hannah Hayes contributed a freethrow.
Maddie Duvall led the Lady Pacers on the night with 18 points, including two three-pointers; and Jessie Duvall was right behind, ending the night with 17 points, highlighted by a 7-for-8 night at the freethrow line.
Higgins ended with four points; Collier, Archer, and Hankins each had two; and Hayes chipped in one.
Natalie Rupp led South Dearborn with eight points on the night.
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The junior varsity team got its season off to a good start with a 26-17 win over South Dearborn.
Molly Wrightsman had a big opening night, leading the way with eight points; and Kenzie Taylor added five.
Maddie Levell and Gracie White each had four points; Carlee Boggs and Kaitlynn Stucker each had two; and Dakota Richards added one point.