BBALLGOODTOME

Highlights from a great season!!

Hailey Smith and Kennedy Baugh really stepped up during the foul problems stretch. Smith owned the boards and made great inside out passes plus cleared the way for dribble penetration. She kept Switzer in check.( Not Easy) Kennedy Baugh, not sure were she has been? She started the Highlands game and played great and until last night was not heard from. She is strong with the ball and a good shooter. Hopefully she earned more playing time after last nights performance. Sydney Stalhman did not light it up from 3 as she usually does, played good "D" and made some nice assists for easy baskets. Her 3 pointer put the dagger in Boone. Boone had a bunch of open looks. If NDA doesn't do a better job closing out on Highlands they could fall behind quickly.

Notre Dame 42, Boone County 38 Notre Dame (17-7) - Stallman 3 0 7, Ogle 1 1 3, Kellam 5 8 18, Clemons 4 3 11, Smith 1 1 3. Totals: 14 13 42. Boone County (13-11) - Ford 2 0 4, McGarr 1 0 2, Foster 3 0 7, Switzer 7 1 17, Moore 0 3 3, Knotts 1 0 3, Hirschauer 0 2 2. Totals: 14 6 38. Halftime: Boone County 24-22. 3-pointers: N 1 (Stallman); B 4 (Knotts, Switzer 2, Foster).

The paper showed her with 21 points. NDA cut it to 4 with 4 to play and then Kellem fouled out followed by the rest of starters. After watching some of the NDA comebacks I feel that If she doesn't foul out they win. Her Dad told me that she had never fouled out of any game in her career.

Pandas played slow down last night. I don't believe they had any fast break points. Neither did Ballard. Ogle and Kellam really handled ball pressure and drew fouls from aggressive defenders. Smith owned the inside for NDA and made big plays including defending the game tying shot. Clemons played smart defense and closed the middle of the zone. Hellman and Stallman made open 3's. NDA only had 5 fouls in second half. Henderson and Schuh gave them quality minutes. This was the best team effort for them this year!

The coaching staff has NDA students recording stats. I would ask for them. Not sure the coach shares this information with Players. You are correct Ogle has missed a lot of the season and is a huge asset on the defensive end. The point I was trying to make is these players are really good and need to be on the floor for majority of game for NDA to Win.

NDA has to get more production from key players. Kellam, has carried them in scoring lately. Shooting at 71% from the field since Christmas. I would be surprised if that can continues for much longer. Hellman is also putting up nice numbers. Smith, Clemons and Ogle are all well below their last season averages. NDA needs them to turn it on just to get out of districts this year. They need to find a way to stay on the floor during games as they are critical to NDA's success. NDA length's effected Conner's 3 attempts just as it worked against Highlands. I don't think it was a lack of energy, maybe some frustration that led to poor shot selection. Once NDA finally decided to front the post the game switched and Conner's guards lost patience.

Ellie Ogle showed some real toughness, She caught massive elbow from Meyers (unintentional). Her eye turned back almost immediately and swelled up. She sat out while the swelling subsided and came back in the fourth and made some huge plays. Meyers is the most physical player in the 9th I have seen. Clemons had 8 assists plus Kellam had 9 or 10 rebounds in the game which helped with Smith in foul trouble. Game was tied at 50 with 3 to go. Conner forced up some bad three's and that was the difference.

Nda had no answer for Meyers most of the game and was in foul trouble. Nda was down 4 late then #20 for Nda took over with clutch shooting and ball handling.

Good outing for Pandas, Ogle's first game back with a little rust, and Kellam could only go 14 minutes (flu). NDA gambled too much for steals and gave them easy buckets down the stretch. NDA looks to be gearing up for the stretch run. If they can be more disciplined on defense and limit turnovers they will be tough at tourney time. Their zone was effective in first half. The second half they played mostly man which let Ruffin loose.

I just heard that Ogle will play tonight and Kellam went back to school today. Not sure on the other players but his will give NDA a punchers chance.

On Kiernan , It's was NSU out of Fort Lauderdale, an excellent school. NKU was talking to her last year but did not offer anything. I believe she want to stay close to home and Thomas More is a likely spot for her. Been watching her since seventh grade and believe she could play for just about anyone. Especially Now since she makes 3's with ease.

SHA could be too much for the short handed Pandas. Ogle and Henderson haven't played or practiced in months. Kellam looks out with the FLU. It could get ugly. I don't see any answer for Ruffin or MeriWeather on the NDA Side. Last Year NDA won without 2 starters. It was a shootout between Ruffin and Voskul each putting up 30+. NDA will have to slow it down to have a shot of winning again.