In all seriousness, I can remember watching the Boone games that my sister played on back in the early 90’s and the high intensity level of the game was the same back then as it is today. The one difference I remember though is Boone used to press from the beginning of the game until the end against the SK teams coached by Gerry Scaringi. Fookes now reserves the full court pressure for stints usually in the third or fourth quarters.
Driving to the game to, I was wondering how Coach Stowers would approach the game without the services of Wainscott. That question was answered early on as Coach Stowers took a little air out of the ball. That didn’t quite work at first as the Rebels jumped out by a score of 10-2. There is no quitting allowed by a Lady Pioneer team as SK stayed in their game plan and worked the ball around until they would maybe lull Boone into thinking they were not going to try and score. This resulted in several quick strikes by SK. The Lady Neers go on an 11-0 run and as SK would go up 13-11. The pace of the game would pick up somewhat during the second quarter as the Pioneers pushed their offense more than they did the first quarter. Boone closes the quarter with a 10-3 run and takes a 21-16 lead into the break.
The Pioneers came out in the third quarter and got the benefit of a three pointer launched by Kayla Blevins. Incidentally, I noticed Blevins connecting on a couple of long range shots before the game started. SK would get another bucket before Boone would score to tie the game at 21 with just under 6 minutes in the third. That’s when things got a little wobbly for SK. Remember the full court pressure mentioned above? It was delivered by the Lady Rebels in a run that resulted in four Pioneer turnovers and subsequent scores by baby blue. Boone goes up by double digits and SK calls time-out. The Pioneers wouldn’t quit. Boone worked for a last shot but gave the ball up to SK. Hannah Stephenson launched a three point prayer that was rebounded by Blevins and tossed into the hoop with a buzzer beater and SK trails again only by 5 at 32-27. Boone would turn to Sidney Moss in the 4th quarter as the Boone star helped the Rebels pull away for good. Moss would end up with 22 on the night and I would be willing to say many of those points would come in the final and decisive frame.
Both teams would take 37 shots for the game; Boone making 16 of theirs while SK connected on 13 but made two more treys. The difference in the game came at the stripe as Boone would make 11 out of 17 throws while SK managed a whopping one for two. When was the last time a team only took two foul shots in a varsity high school game? SK was led in scoring by Stephenson with 12 points, all coming from behind the arc.
I congratulate SK on a strong effort. I know Coach Stowers is never happy about the “L” but the girls played hard and were right there against one of the best daggone foot stompin teams of the Bluegrass.
Kayla Blevins got the start and the envious task of guarding Moss. She really did do a nice job. Here she tussles for a loose rebound.
Stephenson took over the point guard duties tonight for Wainscott.
Maverick doing a fly by.
Pace connects over Moss.
Moss was engulfed in this play by the SK defense provided by Blevins, Pace and Stephenson.
Ponzer scrambles for a loose ball.
