Final.

Kind of a ragged first-game-of-the-season between two teams that will contend for their regions when all is said and done...

 

South scored first on a layup by Jordann McGuffin, but then got careless with the ball (10 first quarter turnovers) and watched CAL race to a 16-4 lead after one period. South settled down after that - the Lady Dragons actually out-scored the Lady Centurions, 43-41, the rest of the way - but CAL continued to hold a double-digit lead at halftime, 26-15.

 

CAL matched its biggest lead of the night at the end of the third at 39-25, but South - who hit just 36.7% of their shots in the first three periods - suddenly began to light it up in the fourth, connecting on 8 of 17 fourth-quarter shots and 3 of 8 threes. South eventually pulled to within 49-43 late, but that was as close as they got.

 

Ballhandling was "early-season sloppy" as South had (unofficial numbers) 25 turnovers and CAL had 18.

 

Unofficially, South outrebounded the taller team from CAL, 26-24, with sophomore Mary Dye leading the way with 7 boards. Miss Basketball candidate Antonita Slaughter led CAL with 9 rebounds and freshman sensation China Dow had 8 boards.

 

Sophomore Jasmine Whitfield led South with 18 and Jordann McGuffin added 15. CAL was led by Antonita Slaughter with 20 and Allison Karst with 16.

 

Critical Stat: CAL made twice as many free throws as South attempted.

 

South Oldham 4 11 10 22 - 47

CAL 16 10 13 18 - 57

 

SOUTH - Whitfield 18, McGuffin 15, Bray 7, Dye 5, Housley 2

CAL - Slaughter 20, Karst 16, Dow 9, Hart 5, Marshall 2, Joss 2, Walden 1, Team 2

 

Shooting:

FG%: South 40.4%, CAL 38.7%

3 point FGs: South 5 / 19 26.3%; CAL 1 / 12 8%

FT%: South 4 / 8 50%; CAL 16 / 26 61.5%

Though a few of my stats (free throws, team rebounds) differ slightly from ColonelMike’s, I agree with his overall opinion of this being a ragged opener for both teams.

 

CAL 57 South Oldham 47

On their first outing of the 2009-10 campaign, the Lady Centurions slew the Lady Dragons in their own lair, a team picked to win this year’s 8th Region. The venture was messy at times as the teams combined for over 40 turnovers, but the scoring tandem of seniors Antonita Slaughter (20 points) and Allison Karst (18 points) provided the necessary weapons for victory.

 

In the opening half, CAL chose to work the ball inside to Slaughter on offense and forced numerous turnovers on defense to open a 16-4 lead by the end of the 1st quarter. South Oldham responded in the 2nd quarter with determined drives and offensive rebounding, but the Lady Centurions still led 26-15 at halftime.

 

The Lady Dragons were fired up in the 2nd half, flying up and down the court to create a more physical game. Pouring in 32 points, South Oldham doubled their 1st half scoring due to highly regarded Jasmine Whitfield (18 points) and Jordann McGuffin (15 points). In the 4th quarter, the Lady Dragons sliced the lead to six points, trailing 49-43. Although struggling from three-point range, hitting only 1 of 12 for the game, the Lady Centurions rose to the challenge. In addition to the duo of Slaughter and Karst, ninth grader China Dow garnered eight rebounds coupled with 11 points and fellow freshman Casey Marshall created steals on defense to finally extinguish the Dragons’ flames.

 

Game scoring by quarter

CAL 16 10 13 18 57

South Oldham 4 11 10 22 47

Halftime: CAL 26 South Oldham 15

 

Player statistics

CAL: Antonita Slaughter (20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals), Allison Karst (18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals), China Dow (11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals), Anna Hart (3 points), Casey Marshall (2 points, 2 steals), Kate Joss (2 points), Emily Walden (1 point)

 

South Oldham: Jasmine Whitfield (18 points), Jordann McGuffin (15 points), Vicki Bray (7 points), Mary Dye (5 points), Emily Housley (2 points)

 

Team statistics

CAL: Total FG 19/49 (38.8%), 3-pt. FG 1/12 (8.3%), FT 18/26 (69.2%), 33 rebounds, 17 turnovers

South Oldham: Total FG 19/47 (40.4%), 3-pt. FG 5/17 (29.4%), 32 rebounds, 25 turnovers

 

Sideline notes

South Oldham:

--Moments of brilliance: In the 2nd half, South Oldham showed their ability to break out and beat their opponent down the court or toss it back out for a quick 3-pointer.

--Consistency: Whitfield and McGuffin need another player to step up when they’re receiving the defensive pressure. If this happens, South Oldham may be able to prove they’re the team to beat for the 8th Region. Otherwise, turnovers may be the team’s tragic flaw.

 

CAL:

--Turnovers: Hopefully an opening-game anomaly, 17 is too many.

--Inside game: Slaughter is difficult for any team to stop, but others will need to step up if she gets into foul trouble. China Dow’s 8 offensive rebounds helped turn the tide in this game, but CAL will need Anna Hart to stay out of foul trouble and provide a boost in the future.

--3-point shooting: 0 for 6 in the 1st half and 1 out of 12 for the game...not pretty when taken out of offensive rhythm. Should improve as team gels.