Announcement
By Paul Gable
Staff writer
MORRISTOWN — For three quarters, the Morristown High School girls’ basketball team gave visiting Shelbyville all it wanted.
And then, the fourth quarter hit.
Clinging to a 35-31 advantage, the Lady Golden Bears built an eight-point lead before slamming the door on any hope the Lady Yellow Jackets may have had, running away with a 53-39 road win. With the victory, Shelbyville improves to 3-7, while Morristown falls to 1-7.
“I told the girls we would be .500 if we only get to play three quarters. We fall apart in the fourth quarter, and we have to do a better job preparing for the fourth. I really liked our chances at the half,” Morristown first-year head coach Mike Smith said.
After being on a cold spell lately, Shelbyville coach Amanda Norris was pleased to get a win.
“It’s a win, and we needed it. This was a much needed win. We are still in the process of trying to learn what our game is. Even when you come in expected to win, you can’t take Morristown for granted. They competed, and at times were a little better than we were. This time last year, we only had one win, and I definitely think the hard work we have put in is starting to pay off,” Norris said.
The game matched the frigid temperatures outside the Bee Hive, as both teams combined for 33-of-99 shooting from the field and 36 turnovers.
After finding themselves deadlocked at 22-22 with Morristown, Shelbyville turned to Ashley Bush and Allison Gobel in the third quarter to get the offense going.
Bush connected on a jumper midway through the quarter, giving Shelbyville a 24-22 advantage it would not relinquish.
Gobel, who scored six points in the contest, extended the lead with a pair of free throws moments later. The Lady Yellow Jackets were able to cut the deficit to four following a 3-pointer by Kendall Redd.
Early on, it appeared as if the Lady Golden Bears would play the role of rude guests, racing out to a 7-0 lead and scoring on its first three possessions. Along the way, Morristown struggled with Shelbyville’s defensive press, turning the ball over twice and forcing Smith to call a quick timeout less than two minutes into the game.
Following the timeout, Morristown settled down, cutting the deficit to 8-7 following a basket by Macy Simrell with just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Shelbyville would hold on, as Raven Hibbard’s basket gave the Lady Golden Bears a 10-7 lead to close out the quarter.
Both teams would continue trading baskets in the second quarter, as Shelbyville again raced out to a quick 12-7 lead only to see Morristown take a 13-12 lead on a basket by Simrell with 5:15 left in the half. Both teams would struggle down the stretch to gain the upper hand, resorting to the locker rooms tied 18-18.
“Halftime came at the perfect time. We were able to regroup. We ran well early on, and I think we got a little greedy. We knew Morristown would heat up, and they did. We had trouble being patient at times in the first half,” Norris said.
Caitlyn Mills led the way for Shelbyville, notching 12 points, while Chelsey Skipton chipped in with 11. The Lady Yellow Jackets were paced by Simrell and Kaylin Carlton, who each scored 10 in the loss.
And then, the fourth quarter hit.
Clinging to a 35-31 advantage, the Lady Golden Bears built an eight-point lead before slamming the door on any hope the Lady Yellow Jackets may have had, running away with a 53-39 road win. With the victory, Shelbyville improves to 3-7, while Morristown falls to 1-7.
“I told the girls we would be .500 if we only get to play three quarters. We fall apart in the fourth quarter, and we have to do a better job preparing for the fourth. I really liked our chances at the half,” Morristown first-year head coach Mike Smith said.
“It’s a win, and we needed it. This was a much needed win. We are still in the process of trying to learn what our game is. Even when you come in expected to win, you can’t take Morristown for granted. They competed, and at times were a little better than we were. This time last year, we only had one win, and I definitely think the hard work we have put in is starting to pay off,” Norris said.
The game matched the frigid temperatures outside the Bee Hive, as both teams combined for 33-of-99 shooting from the field and 36 turnovers.
After finding themselves deadlocked at 22-22 with Morristown, Shelbyville turned to Ashley Bush and Allison Gobel in the third quarter to get the offense going.
Bush connected on a jumper midway through the quarter, giving Shelbyville a 24-22 advantage it would not relinquish.
Gobel, who scored six points in the contest, extended the lead with a pair of free throws moments later. The Lady Yellow Jackets were able to cut the deficit to four following a 3-pointer by Kendall Redd.
Early on, it appeared as if the Lady Golden Bears would play the role of rude guests, racing out to a 7-0 lead and scoring on its first three possessions. Along the way, Morristown struggled with Shelbyville’s defensive press, turning the ball over twice and forcing Smith to call a quick timeout less than two minutes into the game.
Following the timeout, Morristown settled down, cutting the deficit to 8-7 following a basket by Macy Simrell with just under two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Shelbyville would hold on, as Raven Hibbard’s basket gave the Lady Golden Bears a 10-7 lead to close out the quarter.
Both teams would continue trading baskets in the second quarter, as Shelbyville again raced out to a quick 12-7 lead only to see Morristown take a 13-12 lead on a basket by Simrell with 5:15 left in the half. Both teams would struggle down the stretch to gain the upper hand, resorting to the locker rooms tied 18-18.
“Halftime came at the perfect time. We were able to regroup. We ran well early on, and I think we got a little greedy. We knew Morristown would heat up, and they did. We had trouble being patient at times in the first half,” Norris said.
Caitlyn Mills led the way for Shelbyville, notching 12 points, while Chelsey Skipton chipped in with 11. The Lady Yellow Jackets were paced by Simrell and Kaylin Carlton, who each scored 10 in the loss.
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