Lady Raiders use inside game and free-throws for win

By DONN ADAMSON\Daily Journal Sports Editor

DE SOTO - The North County Lady Raiders shot 79 percent from the free throw line, making 22-28 which proved big towards their 58-43 win over the De Soto Lady Dragons.

Even though the fouls were pretty much even for both teams in the game, De Soto made only 1-5 free throws. When asked about the free throw element of their game, Coach Bill Neubrand pointed out the Lady Raider's court play.

"We got to the free throw line because we worked the ball inside tonight," said Neubrand. " They fouled us and the girls did great at the line."

Rebounds were also a big part of the Lady Raiders win. They outrebounded the Lady Dragons 36-22. Brittany Kirkpatrick led the way with 13 boards to complete her double-double with 11 points.

"Kirkpatrick had a big game rebounding for us tonight," said Neubrand, " and (Annie) Hinch came off of the bench tonight and responded really well."

Hinch had nine points and also blocked a sure shot by De Soto late in the game that had her pumping the air with her fist showing her enthusiasm as she came back down the floor.

Despite being outrebounded and losing the free throw battle, the Lady Dragons were in the game up until the last four minutes. Time and time again De Soto provided the equalizer from the three-point line, making seven three-pointers to North County's none.

The game started off North County grabbing the early lead at 5-2, but De Soto tied the score at 7-7 with a three-pointer by Theresa Crady. De Soto took the lead at 11-10 on two more threes, both by their leading scorer Michelle Loveless. The Lady Raiders controlled their offensive board as they hauled down six offensive rebounds in the quarter to trail De Soto by only two points, 15-13.

Both teams put up a lot of shots in the second quarter, a total of 31 with only 11 shots being made. The Lady Raiders were able to tie the game at 17-17. Brittany Hedgcorth scored six points in the quarter, but De Soto was able to add to their lead with another three by Crady, making the score 28-25 at the half.

De Soto struggled on offense in the third quarter, hitting only one three in the first two-and-a-half minutes. Ashley AuBuchon went perfect on four straight free throws to draw the Lady Raiders to within one point, and North County took the lead when Hedgcorth pulled up and hit a jumper in the lane over the De Soto defense.

De Soto tied the game up with a free throw, but the rebound on the second one was knocked out-of bounds, giving the Lady Dragons the ball again. Hedgcorth blocked the inbound pass to a teammate, and on the other end Carissa Wood sank a free throw to give the Lady Raiders the third quarter lead of 37-36.

Crady hit her third three to open the fourth quarter, but Hedgcorth sank two free throws to tie the game at 39 each, and Coach Neubrand called time to adjust his team's defense.

North County again took the lead when Hedgcorth found Kirkpatrick in the corner, and the sophomore had a clear baseline to drive for the score. Crady hit her second three of the frame, but it would be De Soto's last basket from the floor.

Hinch hit a two to retake the lead for North County and also drew a foul on the shot. Hinch made a rare miss on the free throw, but Kirkpatrick came down with the rebound and on trying for the putback was also fouled. De Soto called time out, but when play resumed, Kirkpatrick sank both shots, and the Lady Raiders began to build an insurmountable lead.

The Lady Dragons would score only one more free throw. Fouling the Lady Raiders to get the ball back did not work for De Soto. North County made their free throws, and on the other end their zone defense stifled De Soto's scoring.

North County allowed De Soto only one crack at the basket each trip down the floor, and it usually wasn't a real open one as the Lady Dragons connected on only two of 10 tries in the fourth quarter.

North County 13 12 12 21 - 58

De Soto 15 13 8 6 - 43

SCORING:

North County - B Hedgcorth 18, B Kirkpatrick 11, A Hinch 9, C Wood 8, A AuBuchon 6, H Motley 4, A Poston 2.

3-Pointers - 0

De Soto - M Loveless 16, T Crady 15, M Shular 6, C Sides 6.

3-Pointers T Crady 4, M Loveless 3.