Shooting woes hinder girls in pair of conference losses

Thursday evening's Senior Night matchup with BIC was a difficult one for the Lady Cougars, as they were downed in Rector by their conference foe, 62-43.

The guests took control early, starting the game with a 13-0 run over the opening 3:30.

Rector looked for answers down low, as sophomore center Allison Duncan sparked a 10-2 run in the middle of the frame. Duncan struck twice from the block during the run, as well as sinking three of four from the free throw line. Emily Cornelison connected from deep during the stretch.

BIC struck twice more in the final minute of the frame, closing the first out on top, 19-10.

The second quarter saw Rector's struggles on offense increase. The Lady Cougars managed just three field goals during the period with the remainder of their scoring during the second coming from the line.

BIC, by contrast, shot well in the frame, en route to taking a 42-20 halftime lead.

The visitors maintained control of the game for its remainder, leading 50-30 heading into the final frame.

Duncan led Rector with nine points. Also scoring for the Lady Cougars were Cornelison 8, Chelsea Drope 6, Casey Hollis 5, Rebecca Dodd 4, Rhoda Classen 4, Destinei Heathcott 3, Kelsey Wynn 2 and Jessie Scott 2.

Holly Dempsey paced BIC with 20 points. Brittany Fowler added 15 for the visitors.

The shooting woes are an area of concern for Rector coach Mark Manchester.

"We're not shooting well," Manchester said. "Shooting is the most important thing in the game of basketball. When you factor in everything else, you've still got to be able to make shots."

Junior Girls

A difficult second quarter slowed the Junior Lady Cougars in their contest with BIC.

Rector trailed 9-4 after the first quarter, but managed just one point in the pivotal second frame, falling behind 19-5 at the half before ultimately bowing out to the visitors, 37-19.

"In junior high, we've got to keep working hard to improve offensively," Manchester said. "It's going to take some time, but I feel like we can get there."

Rector made just four of 12 free throws on the evening.

Scoring for the Junior Lady Cougars were Kaitlyn Essman 5, Bailey Haney 4, Vanessa Jones 3, Courtney Shepard 3, Kristen Smart 2 and Lenae Haley 2.

Seventh Grade

The Seventh Grade Lady Cougars were downed in their meeting with BIC, falling 25-13.

Lacinda Carter paced Rector with four points. Also scoring for the young Lady Cougars were Brittany Fair 3, Marla Crancer 3, Harmony Brown 2 and Grayson Crancer 2.

Riverside Loss

The Lady Cougars had a rough night last Tuesday, falling to the visiting Lady Rebels of Riverside in Rector, 61-37.

The guests took control early, building a 22-5 advantage in the first quarter. Riverside led 37-16 at the half and 46-31 through three quarters.

Classen and Drope reached double figures in scoring for the Lady Cougars, netting 12 and 10, respectively. Also scoring for Rector were Heathcott 7, DeMent 3, Duncan 3 and Dodd 2.

Meagan Goza paced Riverside with 22 points. Michelle Cobb and Lauren Weaver added 12 and 11, respectively.

Junior Girls

The Junior Lady Cougars fell just short in their meeting with Riverside, succumbing in a 35-34 battle.

Rector led 7-4 after the opening frame, but fell behind 20-17 at the half. The Junior Lady Cougars took back the lead in the third, 29-24, but couldn't hold on for the win.

Jones paced Rector with 14 points in the loss. Also scoring were Anna Blackshare 7, Cheyenne Ellis 3, Essman 2, Haney 2, Haley 2 and Shepard 2.

The Junior Lady Cougars were slated to take part in the district tournament at Marked Tree Tuesday, but those games were called due to the weather. As the Democrat went to press Tuesday evening, the scheduling remained in doubt.

The Lady Cougars are slated to face Cross County in the opening round of the district tournament beginning at 4 p.m. Monday.