Staff writer
The Centre Lady Cougars finished the Herington tournament last week with a 0-3 record.
“While we were unable to win any games, I do believe the team is making progress and beginning to gel together,” coach Alan Stahlecker said. “With so many new players at the varsity level, I knew it would take us a while to begin to play well. We haven’t reached that point yet, but we are making progress.”
Centre led for the first half of the game Dec. 8 against Herington. Shelby Pankratz scored two 3-pointers, helping Centre to a 9-4 lead. Summer Espinoza and Ally Basore also contributed points.
The team led 14-7 in the second quarter before the Lady Railers picked up their scoring and closed the gap to 15-12 at halftime.
Centre trailed by 3 at the end of the third quarter and ended up losing by 6 points, 35-41. Kate Basore made 3 baskets in the fourth quarter, and Katie Marler contributed 2 points.
Pankratz led Centre in scoring with 13 points, followed by Ally Basore with 9.
Southeast of Saline
The girls were no match for the 3A Southeast of Saline team they faced Friday. They were outgunned from the start and lost 44-23.
Janel Dones made a trey in the fourth quarter and Emily Schlesener made three baskets altogether. Espinoza also made a basket. The other points came from free throws.
Madison
Playing Saturday against Madison, the team looked like it was headed for another disaster after Madison shot to a 14-2 lead in the first quarter.
However, the Lady Cougars redeemed themselves by scoring 18 points in the second quarter and holding Madison to 7. Centre trailed 21-20 at halftime.
Ally Basore opened the third quarter with a basket to give Centre the lead for the first time. The two teams tied 28-28 before a 3-pointer by Pankratz gave Centre a 31-28 lead at the end of the quarter.
Madison went on an 11-point run in the fourth quarter as Centre’s scoring turned cold. The girls got within 4 points again before losing 44-37.
Pankratz led scoring with 10 points, followed by Pankratz with 9.