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Rossview falls in final minute to Beech




Lady Hawk Ever Walker takes the ball up the floor.JOSHUA HICKS

Lady Hawk Ever Walker takes the ball up the floor.JOSHUA HICKS

The best kind of basketball game is the kind where it feels like everybody won. It’s hard not to enjoy when both teams are trading blows, making big shots and basking in the roar of passionate fan bases on either side of the gym during a close game.

Monday night had exactly that between the District 10-AAA champion Rossview Lady Hawks and District 9-AAA No. 2 seed Beech Lady Buccaneers – but BHS will look back with fonder memories, coming away with a 57-48 victory.

Things did not look like they’d be close at all early when the Lady Bucs jumped ahead to a 13-0 lead before holding a 17-4 advantage after the first quarter. But as they’ve done so often this season, Rossview channeled its toughness and made a counter-surge.

“We knew Rossview’s a great team and we knew they were going to come out and they were going to pop us back once we got them,” said Beech head coach Kristi Utley. “We got the first knock, came out and got some points, some easy baskets. We knew they were going to come back, so I told my kids that this is a four quarter game. We’ve got to play every minute, it’s going to come down to the last minute.”

Kayla Gilmore wins the opening tip-off.JOSHUA HICKS

Kayla Gilmore wins the opening tip-off.JOSHUA HICKS

And to the last minute, it went. After getting to within one point with three minutes left, Rossview fell back behind by five points with starting senior guard Ever Walker off the floor after taking a hard fall. She came in just in time to witness Kristin Edwards take a full-court press steal for an and-one to get back within two with 90 seconds to go.

However, Beech had the wherewithal to keep the Lady Hawks off the board from there and scored the game’s final seven points to ice the court.

“They would get within four, two, but we never let them have the lead,” Utley said. “We weren’t always in control, we made some silly turnovers that we don’t normally do, but my girls held it down when they needed to.”

Rossview’s Emma Monson looks to block a shot.JOSHUA HICKS

Rossview’s Emma Monson looks to block a shot.JOSHUA HICKS

Rossview’s adjustments were mostly defensive, especially keying in on Lady Buc Deshiya Hoosier, who finished with 24 points.

Once they applied more pressure and managed their double teams, the Lady Hawks were finally able to play their style of basketball – and it nearly earned them a spot in the region championship and sub-state. In the end, head coach Justin Woods does not regret the way his team played on Monday.

“We were able to have some success and get back in the game,” he said.

“We had chances. We cut it to one, we cut it to two, we had open shots and they didn’t fall. At the end of the day, you can live with that. You fought back, you had chances, the ball didn’t go in. That’s basketball. I love our fight, I love our effort, I love the way they stuck together all the way through.”

Ever Walker sizes up a defender.JOSHUA HICKS

Ever Walker sizes up a defender.JOSHUA HICKS

BOX SCORE

Beech (57): Deshiya Hoosier 24, Bri Ellis 13, Laci Walmer 7, Mia Dean 6, Jana Claire Swafford 5, Natasia Jones 3.

Rossview (48): Ever Walker 14, Kayla Gilmore 14, Kristin Edwards 9, Courteney Daniels 8, Amaya Scott 3.

Sara Beth Johnson dribbles around the perimeter.JOSHUA HICKS

Sara Beth Johnson dribbles around the perimeter.JOSHUA HICKS

Kayla Gilmore takes a contested shot.JOSHUA HICKS

Kayla Gilmore takes a contested shot.JOSHUA HICKS

 

 

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