Ladyhawks drop close decision 47-45

Photograph by Randy Moll, Westside Eagle Observer Lady Blackhawk Avery Dayberry, freshman, tried to push past a Lady Pioneer defender in the game Friday night in Gentry.
Photograph by Randy Moll, Westside Eagle Observer Lady Blackhawk Avery Dayberry, freshman, tried to push past a Lady Pioneer defender in the game Friday night in Gentry.

The Pea Ridge Lady Blackhawk basketball overcame a dismal first quarter to take a half-time lead against rival Shiloh before cold shooting in the fourth quarter sank their bid for victory as they lost 47-45.

The Lady 'Hawks could not find the mark in the first quarter, with only buckets underneath by Mikhaela Cochran and Maggie Fletcher and a free throw by Tina Cotton to show for their first quarter offense. Shiloh's much taller front court players put back three offensive rebounds which also resulted in two made free throws to spark the hosts. They also scored twice inside and hit on one outside shot, a trey as Shiloh led 17-5 at the first quarter buzzer.

The 'Hawks changed their strategy in the second quarter, increasing defensive pressure and using Cochran to attack the goal and the change worked dramatically. The 'Hawks forced their foes into seven turnovers, with Cochran driving the paint. Cochran scored on a pair of layups and was fouled five times with the lanky senior sinking six shots. Ashley Thielemier was four for four from the line with Cotton scoring from the paint as the 'Hawks raced past their conference foe to take a 21-20 lead at the break.

With Cochran providing the bulk of the 'Hawk offense, the Shiloh strategy coming out of intermission was to stop the 'Hawk's all-star player by any means available. Though being pounded, pushed and fouled repeatedly throughout the third quarter, Cochran managed to go four for four from the line and also pulled off a steal and breakaway layup led the way in maintaining the lead. Kealy Skaggs' 3-pointer and Melissa Landis' layup was just enough to keep the lead as Pea Ridge led 32-29 heading into the final quarter of play.

Hot shooting by Shiloh and a couple of inopportune 'Hawk turnovers in the first 90 seconds of the fourth gave the hosts something to cheer as their team erased the deficit and took a 38-33 lead with 6:25 left in the game. Cochran scored as did Fletcher to get the 'Hawks within one at 38-37, but a pair of Shiloh free throws and layup restored the 5-point bulge, 42-37 with 3:41 left.

The 'Hawks then started another comeback led by Landis rebound shot and a sensational inbounds pass theft by Skaggs who then fed Cochran for an easy layup put a scare into the home crowd, trailing 41-42 with just over three minutes left. Cochran completed the comeback seconds later with a free throw to knot the score at 42-42 with 3:06 remaining.

Turnovers plagued both sides but Shiloh managed to sink one of three free throws to go with a layup to assume a 45-42 lead with 57 seconds left. Cochran's free throw cut it to 45-43 with 42 seconds to go but a foul on the other end allowed the hosts a pair of freebies which they sank for a 47-43 lead with 17 seconds left. Skaggs' field goal in the closing seconds made it close again at 47-45 but the 'Hawks would not get another scoring opportunity before the final buzzer.

Cochran scored 25 to lead all scorers with Skaggs finishing with 5, Landis 4, Fletcher 4, Thielemier 4 and Cotton 3.

Sports on 01/28/2015