mjackson@escalontimes.com
In a couple of low scoring contests this week, Escalon's varsity Lady Cougars basketball team couldn't find a way to put a win in the books.
The girls lost a home game on Monday, Jan. 14 to Hughson and then fell on the road in a Thursday, Jan. 17 game at Ripon.
"When you can't make a basket, you can't score points," coach Kristie Cathcart said of Monday's 39-28 loss to visiting Hughson.
"We just didn't play that well," she added.
Escalon scored in single digits in every quarter of Monday's game, scoring just four points to Hughson's five in the first quarter, seven to Hughson's 10 in the second to trail by just four points at the half, 15-11. The teams were even, 8-8, in the third so the Lady Cougars still had plenty of opportunity to take the game, but they couldn't find the net. Hughson outscored the host team 16-9 in the final quarter to take the win.
"They were 10-for-14 from the line, we were 2-for-8," Cathcart said of free throws. "They're pretty tall and were aggressive on defense, they did different things to break our press and in the fourth quarter, they were 6-for-6 in free throws."
Kaitlyn Brayton had 12 points on the night, with one 3-pointer and sinking 1-of-2 free throw attempts. Katie Kaech had seven points, Mckenzie Brown had six and Megan Moore notched a 3-pointer to round out the Lady Cougar scoring.
At Ripon on Thursday, Jan. 17, the varsity girls had the halftime lead in another lackluster scoring outing, but couldn't hold it as the Lady Indians battled back and took a 27-18 win.
"We were up 12-8 at the half, last time we played we beat them by six points," said Cathcart.
Escalon had six points in the first quarter, Ripon had a single free throw for one point. The Lady Cougars stayed consistent, scoring six points in the second quarter as Ripon put in seven. Then the Indians turned the tables, scoring seven points in the third quarter to one point for Escalon and the host team enjoyed a 12-5 run over the final eight minutes to seal the win.
"They came out with only one girl shooting in the first half," Cathcart explained. "In the second half, we came out and couldn't make a shot to save our life ... they drained them all."
Neither team got to the free throw line that much, as referees allowed the teams to play and didn't call many fouls, some that Cathcart believes should have been called.
Escalon was just 3-for-6 at the free throw line; Ripon went 6-for-10.
Six players scored for Escalon, and the leading scorer was Noelle Bellino, who put in five points. Brayton and Kaylan Aufdermaur added four points each, with three from Kaech. Notching free throws were Katie Aprile and Jordon Costa.
"We played good, we're not afraid to take shots, now we just have to have them go in," said Cathcart.
The girls were slated to play at Modesto Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 22 after The Times went to press. On Friday, Jan. 25, they will host Ripon Christian in a 7:30 p.m. contest.
In a couple of low scoring contests this week, Escalon's varsity Lady Cougars basketball team couldn't find a way to put a win in the books.
The girls lost a home game on Monday, Jan. 14 to Hughson and then fell on the road in a Thursday, Jan. 17 game at Ripon.
"When you can't make a basket, you can't score points," coach Kristie Cathcart said of Monday's 39-28 loss to visiting Hughson.
"We just didn't play that well," she added.
Escalon scored in single digits in every quarter of Monday's game, scoring just four points to Hughson's five in the first quarter, seven to Hughson's 10 in the second to trail by just four points at the half, 15-11. The teams were even, 8-8, in the third so the Lady Cougars still had plenty of opportunity to take the game, but they couldn't find the net. Hughson outscored the host team 16-9 in the final quarter to take the win.
"They were 10-for-14 from the line, we were 2-for-8," Cathcart said of free throws. "They're pretty tall and were aggressive on defense, they did different things to break our press and in the fourth quarter, they were 6-for-6 in free throws."
Kaitlyn Brayton had 12 points on the night, with one 3-pointer and sinking 1-of-2 free throw attempts. Katie Kaech had seven points, Mckenzie Brown had six and Megan Moore notched a 3-pointer to round out the Lady Cougar scoring.
At Ripon on Thursday, Jan. 17, the varsity girls had the halftime lead in another lackluster scoring outing, but couldn't hold it as the Lady Indians battled back and took a 27-18 win.
"We were up 12-8 at the half, last time we played we beat them by six points," said Cathcart.
Escalon had six points in the first quarter, Ripon had a single free throw for one point. The Lady Cougars stayed consistent, scoring six points in the second quarter as Ripon put in seven. Then the Indians turned the tables, scoring seven points in the third quarter to one point for Escalon and the host team enjoyed a 12-5 run over the final eight minutes to seal the win.
"They came out with only one girl shooting in the first half," Cathcart explained. "In the second half, we came out and couldn't make a shot to save our life ... they drained them all."
Neither team got to the free throw line that much, as referees allowed the teams to play and didn't call many fouls, some that Cathcart believes should have been called.
Escalon was just 3-for-6 at the free throw line; Ripon went 6-for-10.
Six players scored for Escalon, and the leading scorer was Noelle Bellino, who put in five points. Brayton and Kaylan Aufdermaur added four points each, with three from Kaech. Notching free throws were Katie Aprile and Jordon Costa.
"We played good, we're not afraid to take shots, now we just have to have them go in," said Cathcart.
The girls were slated to play at Modesto Christian on Tuesday, Jan. 22 after The Times went to press. On Friday, Jan. 25, they will host Ripon Christian in a 7:30 p.m. contest.
