Staff report
RUSSIA — The Sidney Lady Jackets had all they could handle from the Russia Lady Raiders in the season-opening girls basketball game Friday night at Russia.
But they held on down the stretch to post a 61-56 victory.
The Lady Raiders, 0-1 with Bradford coming to town tonight, overcame a slow start to take a 31-27 lead at the half, then rallied back after Sidney outscored them 21-5 in the third quarter to take a 48-36 lead into the final period.
Russia was within four points inside two minutes to go in the game, but Sidney was able to come away with the win.
“It’s always a tough environment playing at Russia,” said Sidney head coach Megan Mummey. “They had a big crowd and they were able to get the crowd into it, so it was good to come away with a win. Tim (Hatcher, Russia coach) really had his girls ready to play, and they took away our inside game and dared us to shoot from the outside.”
Sidney had to make some adjustments early when 6-foot-3 post player Celena Taborn picked up two quick fouls and spent most of the rest of the first half on the bench.
“We had to play a lot without her,” said Mummey. “We were up 17-10 after a quarter, but we were forced to change things up when Celena went out, and they got some momentum. We didn’t get out on the three, and we gave up 21 points in the quarter.”
But she credited that defense with getting the win with a strong third quarter.
“We came out in the third quarter and pressed them, and forced them into some turnovers,” Mummey said. “They came back in the fourth quarter with some pressure and we just weren’t patient. And they started hitting some tough three-pointers.”
Despite her foul trouble, Taborn finished with 18 points to share the team scoring lead with Kaitlyn Davis, who hit four three-pointers. Sylvia Hudson added 16 points.
Russia’s Tiffany Hatcher took game scoring honors, pouring in 20 points on the strength of five three-pointers. Cameo Wilson, a six-foot post, had 15 points and Maria Herron added 11 points and hit three threes.
“The girls played well and executed the gamne plan,” said Russia coach Tim Hatcher. “Our game plan was to take away Davis’s penetration and try to take away as much as we could on the inside.”
Sidney is 1-0 and also back in action tonight, playing at crosstown rival Lehman in non-league action.
Sidney (61) — Davis 18, Nuss 3, Timmons 2, Rowland 3, Hudson 16, Taborn 18, Miller 1.
Russia (56) — Hatcher 20, Poling 3, Monnin 1, Wilson 15, W. Pleiman 2, Herron 11, C. Pleiman 4.
Score by quarters:
Sidney 17 27 48 61
Russia 10 31 36 56
Three-pointers: Sidney 6 (Davis 4, Nuss, Rowland); Russia 9 (Hatcher 5, Herron 3, Wilson).
Records: Sidney 1-0, Russia 0-1.
Junior varsity score: Sidney 26, Jackson Center 25.
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Houston falls in OT
HOUSTON — Houston rallied to tie the game in regulation, but came up short in overtime in the season opener Friday night at Houston, 44-43 against Covington.
The Lady Wildcats got 15 points from Macey Stang and 13 from Jenna Winner.
Jessie Crowell had 16 for Covington.
Covington (44) — Shell 2, Richard 4, Gostomsky 8, Jo. Crowell 3, Horner 7, Whiteman 2, Je. Crowell 16, Lyle 2.
Houston (43) — Maier 3, Hensley 1, Winner 13, Stang 15, Monnin 5, Jarett 2, New 4.
Score by quarters:
Covington 11 22 26 39 44
Houston 9 18 25 39 43
Three-pointers: Houston 1 (Stang); Covington 4 (Gostomsky 2, Crowell, Crowell).
Records: Covington 1-0, Houston 0-1.
JV score: Houston 41, Covington 37.
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Lady Rangers
advance to finals
ELIDA — The New Knoxville girls got the season off to a good start and advanced to the Elida Kewpee Tip-Off Tournament finals with a 37-24 victory over the host team in high school girls basketball action Friday night.
The Lady Rangers will take on the winner of the second game between New Bremen and Indian Lake, and Bremen was well out ahead in that one.
New Knoxville was led by Kenzie Schroer with 17 points.
New Knoxville (37) — Schroer 17, Miller 4, Schwieterman 4, Lammers 1, Lageman 6, Leffel 5.
Elida (24) — Alexander 5, Owens 2, Wise 2, Wheeler 2, Gay 4, Kuhn 9.
