MORAN Marmaton Valley traded baskets for three quarters with St. Paul, but in the fourth the Wildcats tank was empty.
The Indians won the contest 47-36.
Facing one of the top teams of the Three Rivers League was always going to be a challenge for the youth-heavy Wildcats, which is why head coach Sherri Bagshaw was left with nothing but praise for her girls.
St. Paul is very experienced. They have a tradition, and are just expected to win every night out, Bagshaw said. I couldnt ask for any more from my girls tonight, and Ill take the 11-point loss to St. Paul. But it did hurt because the girls really wanted to win, expected to win, and that is a change in the thinking progress or our girls.
MV senior Bailey Griffith had a good game Tuesday after an 18-point performance against Crest on Friday. Griffith converted two tough points in the paint to help the Wildcats stay even at 4-4 in the opening minutes. But the Indians slowly began to grow its lead, converting a 3-point buzzer-beater to take a 7-point lead after the first.
Kayle Becker found Alyson Ard underneath the hoop for an easy deuce in the second period, bringing the Wildcats within one point. Ard was stellar for the Wildcats, scoring seven points in the quarter and finishing with a team-high 17 points. The Wildcats remained in striking distance at halftime, trailing 25-20.
I thought Aly had her best game of the year. She is really coming into her own and maturing, and is not afraid to attack the basket, Bagshaw said. But really though, any girl could have been my MVP out there tonight.
A strong effort at the start of the second half handed St. Paul its largest lead of the game. Not to be denied, Ard responded with a pair of buckets bringing Marmaton Valley back within four. The Indians lead 37-30 heading into the final period.
In the fourth quarter St. Paul dominated, scoring the first eight points.
A full-court press stifled the Wildcats offensively, and the Indians increased their lead to as large as 13. Marmaton Valley mustered only one field goal in the final quarter, losing 47-36.
They were starting to turn it on, and we are only six or seven players deep, Bagshaw said. I could pick the girls apart and point out this little turnover, or that little turnover, but what they brought to the game tonight I cant penalize them for any of that.
Despite the loss, Bagshaw is confident the Wildcat armada is sailing in the right direction. Bagshaw applauded the win over Crest on Friday, in what she calls one of the best performances in her two-year tenure at the helm.
The Wildcats will be back in action this Friday at Pleasanton, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.
BOX SCORE
Marmaton Valley (6-14-10-6 36) (pts): Griffith 14, Bracken 2, M. Ard 2, A. Ard 17, Becker 1.
St. Paul (13-12-12-10 47) (pts): K. Doherty 3, Wiatrak 5, Hutcherson 8, E. Doherty 2, Albertini 3, Bradshaw 4, Strithers 2, Chambers 3, Coomes 17.
