Lady Eagles lose hard fought battle to Lakers

Wednesday, 08 February 2012 4:26

(Heather Monk shoots for two of her seven points on the evening. Monk went 3-3 from the floor and had two rebounds against the Lakeland Lakers last Friday.) photo by hiatt

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by Don Hiatt

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The Churubusco Lady Eagles faced the Lakeland Lakers at home Friday night. The Lady Eagles lost a hard fought battle 49-44.

“It was a game of ups and downs for us,” explained Coach Jamie Perlich. “We played well sometimes. Other times, we wondered where that came from.”

The Lady Lakers took control at the beginning of the game with a 5-0 run. Chandler Blake would break that run with a basket for the Lady Eagles. Blake then got the defensive rebound that led to Savannah Labenz’s two-point basket. Lakeland scored a quick basket to answer Labenz. Churubusco then started their 7-0 run. The Lady Eagles received two baskets from Labenz and a basket and a three-pointer from Haleigh Gross to end the quarter 13-7 Churubusco.

“We started out well,” stated Coach Perlich. “Dug ourselves a little hole, down five to nothing for a little bit but then we settled down and played good defense. We were able to take some good shots and took the lead in the first quarter.”

Lakeland scored first in the second quarter with a pair of free throws. Churubusco’s Kristine Bechtold answered at the free-throw line going 1-2. The Lady Lakers then went on a 7-0 run to take the lead back. Gross broke the lead with a three-pointer for the Lady Eagles. Then Lakeland went on another run for six more points making it 22-17 Lakeland. It was then Churubusco’s turn. The Lady Eagles received baskets from Jacey Keener off an offensive rebound and two free throws from Gross. The Lady Lakers made a three-pointer with :05 left until half to extend their lead to 25-21.

“We hit a span where we turned the ball over,” said Coach Perlich. “They were able to hit some good shots and take the lead at half.”

The Lady Eagles started the third quarter strong getting points from Gross and Heather Monk to tie the game 25 all. Lakeland took the lead back with a basket, but Gross took the ball right down the court, dished the ball to Monk for a lay-up. Monk was fouled on the lay-up and made the free throw to make it 28-27 Churubusco. The Lady Lakers made a quick basket, but fouled Gross. Gross made both free throws. Lakeland then hit a big three-pointer, but Blake answered back with a two-pointer. The Lady Lakers went on a 6-0 run until Gross made a basket for the Lady Eagles. Gross stole the ball and got fouled. She went 1-2 from the free-throw line. Gross made another steal and dished the ball off to Labenz who would make a basket for the Lady Eagles to end the third quarter 38-37 Lady Lakers.

“We shot the ball better from the free-throw line and from the floor tonight,” explained Coach Perlich. “But again we had too many unforced turnovers that cut our chances down to score a basket. We would get a stop when we needed to, but then we would give up an offensive rebound. We need to get to where we can finish the entire possession.”

Lakeland started the fourth quarter with a basket, but Labenz answered with a three-pointer for the Lady Eagles to tie the game at 40 all. The Lady Lakers went on a 5-0 run until they fouled Gross who went 2-2 from the free-throw line. Lakeland then scored another basket but Labenz made one for the Lady Eagles. The Lady Lakers made another basket to end the game 49-44 Lakeland.

“It was nice to see Young out on the floor,” said Coach Perlich. “Gross played a good game and Monk did some good things for us tonight. It was nice to see the seniors play well on their last game at home. Just wish we could have got them the win on their last home game. We will learn from this game and move on to sectionals.”

The Lady Eagles end their regular season 6-14 and will face South Adams in the first round of sectionals Tuesday night at Adams Central. If the Lady Eagles win, they will face the Adam Central Jets on Friday night.

by Don Hiatt

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Churubusco Lady Eagles faced the Lakeland Lakers at home Friday night. The Lady Eagles lost a hard fought battle 49-44.

“It was a game of ups and downs for us,” explained Coach Jamie Perlich. “We played well sometimes. Other times, we wondered where that came from.”

“We hit a span where we turned the ball over,” said Coach Perlich. “They were able to hit some good shots and take the lead at half.”