YATES CENTER Just call her Abbie Collins, motivational speaker.
Yates Center Highs head basketball coach had seen her Wildcat girls do well on offense Tuesday against Crest.
Defense was another story.
We were getting out-hustled, Collins said. I told them that at halftime.
Was it an emphatic discussion?
Gave them a little kick in the rears, she said sheepishly.
Message delivered.
The Wildcats cranked up the defensive pressure in the third quarter, keying a 17-3 run to take the lead for good in a 52-40 victory over the Lady Lancers.
The game turned shortly after Crest took a 26-24 lead in the opening minutes of the second half.
Yates Centers increased defensive pressure forced Crest into a series of bad passes and missed shots, which in turn paved the way for several Wildcat scoring chances.
Five Yates Center players scored during the decisive run, inlcuding Jaylee Catron, who scored seven of her game-high 16 points in the third.
She and Madelynn Collins both drilled 3-pointers during the stretch, which in turn forced Crests defense to place more emphasis on the perimeter, and away from the Wildcats towering front line.
We didnt play nearly as well as we should be, or what we are, Crest head coach Megan Mason said. We had no hustle. We let them walk all over us outside. Our defense was really sloppy.
Crest stayed within shouting distance down the stretch, and got to the line repeatedly in the second half 21 of their 23 free throws were after internission but could not get the defensive stops necessary to fuel a comeback attempt.
Taylor Jacobs and Collins added 10 and nine points, respectively, for Yates Center.
Rachel Godderz scored 11 of her team-high 14 points in the first half to pace Crest. Aubrey Holloran added seven points before exiting early in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.
Yates Center returns to action Friday against Oswego. Crest hosts Chetopa Friday and Marais des Cygnes Valley Saturday.
Crest (11-12-9-840) (FG/3pt): Strickler 1-2-2-4, Armstrong 2-0-1-4, R. Godderz 3/1-5-2-14, Holloran 3-1-0-7, Bowen 1-0-2-2, L. Godderz 1-2-2-4, Beckmon 2-1-2-5. TOTALS: 13/1-11-11-40.
Yates Center (11-13-19-952) (FG/3pt): Jac. Catron 2-0-1-4, Jay. Catron 6/1-1-3-16, Weseloh 2-0-2-4, Mo. Collins 1-1-2-3, Pringle 3-0-4-6, Jacobs 4-2-3-10, Ma. Collins 0/3-0-2-9. TOTALS: 18/4-4-17-52.
