SK PIONEER SPORTS: 39-1.........................

Alright, the 32nd District winning streak ends at 39 for the Lady Pioneers. 40 would have sure sounded a lot more impressive but all streaks eventually to come to an end. The good news is, the game really doesn’t make or break the season. It is all about making the regional tourney and the Lady Neers cashed that ticket the other day with a W against Williamstown. The Lady Pioneers get a huge opportunity when they go into the regional tournament at Joe Stark Memorial Gymnasium in beautiful Independence. Bus 18 won’t be making 5 hour round trips to the depths of the 8th region with the girls cramming in Subway before they hit the road. No sir, home sweet home will be a great thing. The Lady Neers are lights out at SK and I look for them to rebound and make a strong showing in the regional tourney next week. I will throw something else out- I have been watching Jeff Stowers’ teams long enough to know that he didn’t show the whole SK hand either.

Now to the game; a defensive struggle, much like most people expected. Things started out for SK according to their normal game plan. Hold the opposition to single digits and toss a few buckets in your own hoop along the way. The Pioneers defense was working as WV only scored 5 points in the first quarter while the Lady Neers posted an 8 on the board. WV would open up the second quarter on an 8-4 run to take the lead for the first time in the game. SK would return the favor by going on a 6-2 run and grab an 18-14 lead at the break. While SK was playing sound defense, offense certainly came at a premium as SK jacked way too many air balls from deep and missed lay-ups.

SK opened up the third quarter looking strong as they eeked out to a 7 point lead. I mentioned to a friend that it looked like SK was about ready to start pulling away. I was wrong and as Walton closed with a fury and Kristen Pace picked up her 4th foul. Walton outscored SK 15-13 in the third and only trails 31-29.

The fourth quarter would get about as exciting as it gets. SK led for most of the quarter. Walton would take a lead by a score of 40-39 after two Dixon foul shots with about two minutes to go. SK would come down and regain the lead after Nikki Brown drove and dished off to Kristen Pace for a left-handed crib shot. SK up 41-40. WV would go down on offense and take a bad shot that SK rebounded. At that point, things are looking good for SK until a turnover in the backcourt bounced Walton’s way. Jennlaee Ginn picked up a lose ball, went up for a shot and was fouled. She too knocked down her free throws for the 42-41 lead. Tip your cap as WV goes 4 for 4 from the line under 4 minutes. SK takes over possession with 16 seconds left. Sydni Wainscott dribbled the ball under intense pressure from WV. Twice the ball would be knocked out by WV. Finally, with 4 seconds on the clock, Wainscott would get off an off balance shot from the elbow. The shot ricocheted off and fell into Pace’s hands. Pace would hit the shot but the stripes ruled that it was made after the red light behind the glass had illuminated. I certainly didn’t have the angle to tell but it was definitely close.

SK did the things on the defensive end that they strive for by forcing 19 WV turnovers and pulled down more boards than the Lady Cats. The difference in the game was shooting. Amazing that SK put up 23 more field goals than WV but only made 4 more. The Pioneers have been hot from the three line but tonight they would only make 4 out of 22 while WV made 5 of 14. Still doesn’t add up? WV made 11 out of 17 throws while SK only went to the line 4 times connecting on 3. SK only shot 24% in the first half and 30% for the game. Home court sounding good about now? I say, bring on the JOE!!!!!

Time to put the streak and loss behind you Lady Neers and get ready for the chance to get back on Bus 18, this time bound for BG. Good Luck!!!

Nice first half bucket by Ponzer.