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Exacerbated Lady Yellow Jackets hold off Montgomery Central




Aubrey Deberry and Olivia Lee battle for a loose ball.BLAINE KELLAR

Aubrey Deberry and Olivia Lee battle for a loose ball.BLAINE KELLAR

It was far from pretty, but the Springfield girls’ basketball team pulled off their second District 10-AAA win of the season on Friday, Jan. 8. 

The Lady Yellow Jackets traveled to Montgomery Central and defeated the Lady Indians 48-39, despite picking up a trio of technical fouls and allowing nearly 20 free throws attempts in the fourth quarter. Springfield junior Shamarri Cantrell picked up two of the three fouls in the final frame, being ejected from the contest due to a profane exchange with an official. 

“Obviously, we have to work on our composure,” said SHS head coach Tara Koran. “The other team was kind of running their mouths a little bit… We have to rise above that, we have to be quiet. I can’t wait to watch the film and kind of see what was happening out there. I’m proud of them, we battled for sure.”

Coming off a 66-42 loss at home against White House Heritage, Springfield pressed the issue early against the Lady Indians by forcing 10 turnovers in the first eight minutes. The Lady Yellow Jackets scored six points off of Montgomery Central’s miscues and held a 14-8 advantage at the end of one. 

Springfield attempted to slow down the pace of play in the second, but the Lady Indians retook the lead moments before halftime. Montgomery Central outscored SHS 13-5 before the intermission to take a 21-19 lead into the break. 

Both teams missed each of their first six shot attempts in the third, but three-pointers from Sarah Tejeda and Aubrey DeBerry allowed the Lady Jackets to retake the lead. Tejeda led all scorers with 15 points in the contest, nine of which came from the three-point line. 

Tensions began to flair in the fourth, as frustration mounted for Montgomery Central. The two teams began to jaw back and forth, eventually resulting in Springfield’s Aubrey DeBerry receiving a technical foul for words said to a Lady Indians’ player following a free throw attempt. 

Two minutes later, Cantrell picked up back-to-back technicals after a drive to the rim. Cantrell was ejected from the game, allowing Montgomery Central to shoot four consecutive free throws. The Lady Indians shot 18 free throws in the final frame, but only converted six. 

“That’s the difference in the game right there, they made free throws (and) we didn’t,” said Montgomery Central head coach Patrick Bucciarelli. “If you’re not shooting well and it’s not something that you do well, you have to step up and work on that until you are. It’s kind of a mental toughness thing, you have to know you’re going to knock them down when you’re in big games. We just didn’t have that.”

The Lady Yellow Jackets picked up their third win of the season with the victory and travel to Watertown the following day. Springfield’s next district opponent is at home against Rossview on Jan. 12. Montgomery Central will travel to play the Lady Hawks on Jan. 11. 

BOX SCORE

Springfield (48): Sarah Tejeda 15, Aubrey Deberry 7, Maddie Luowia 7, Shamarri Cantrell 5, Ky’Asia Gardner 5, Olivia Lee 5, Aaliyah Scharkley 4.

Montgomery Central (39): Nicole Batista 11, Sarah Rankhorn 10, Keli Stump 8, Autumn Johnson 5, Addison Beech 4, Maddison Roby 1.

 

Patrick Bucciarelli shouts instructions to his team during warmups.BLAINE KELLAR

Patrick Bucciarelli shouts instructions to his team during warmups.BLAINE KELLAR

Tara Koran speaks to her team before their game against Montgomery Central.BLAINE KELLAR

Tara Koran speaks to her team before their game against Montgomery Central.BLAINE KELLAR

Aubrey Deberry boxes out Nicole Batista for a rebound.BLAINE KELLAR

Aubrey Deberry boxes out Nicole Batista for a rebound.BLAINE KELLAR

Sarah Tejeda defends Addison Beech in the half court.BLAINE KELLAR

Sarah Tejeda defends Addison Beech in the half court.BLAINE KELLAR

Sarah Rankhorn looks for a teammate with Olivia Merritt defending.BLAINE KELLAR

Sarah Rankhorn looks for a teammate with Olivia Merritt defending.BLAINE KELLAR

Sarah Tejeda attempts a three-point shot.BLAINE KELLAR

Sarah Tejeda attempts a three-point shot.BLAINE KELLAR

Addison Beech brings the ball up the court for the Lady Indians.BLAINE KELLAR

Addison Beech brings the ball up the court for the Lady Indians.BLAINE KELLAR

Shamarri Cantrell shoots a free throw against Montgomery Central.BLAINE KELLAR

Shamarri Cantrell shoots a free throw against Montgomery Central.BLAINE KELLAR

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