Lady Mustangs rebound; slay Dragons

WEST UNION – The Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs rebounded after a tough loss earlier this week with a huge offensive output in the first half Thursday night, defeating the West Union Lady Dragons 67-31 in both team's Southern Hills League opener.

     In the first half the Lady Mustangs (1-0, 2-1) scored a combined 41 points, netting 25 points in the second quarter. L-C scored in double figures in each quarter. West Union was held to 17 points in the first two quarters.

     “After our game Tuesday against Washington this game was a huge improvement offensively,” Lynchburg-Clay head coach Linda Hatten said. “Defensively we shut them (West Union) down inside.”

     Lynchburg-Clay gained a total of 30 rebounds with senior Cali Hatten and sophomore Brooke Hertlein each grabbing eight boards. Hertlein had five steals and scored 11 points, making five shots from the field.

     Cali Hatten led L-C in scoring with a game-high 18 points, shooting 8 of 15 from the field.

     Senior Lindsey Hawk gained 15 points for the Lady Mustangs, making five 2-point baskets, one 3-pointer and two free throws. Hawk was 6 of 9 from the field. Hawk led L-C with five assists.

     “This was a good game offensively for Cali and Lindsey,” Hatten said. “This was good for their confidence.”

     L-C junior Hannah Blankenship finished with eight points, making one 3-point basket. Junior Lillian Blankenship finished with six points, making three shots from the floor for L-C. Fellow junior Meredith Fittro sank one 3-pointer, finishing the SHL game with five points. Lynchburg-Clay freshman Laney Lewis scored four points.

     The Dragons were led by Heitz with 11 points.

     “In the second half they (WUHS) hit a couple three’s,” Hatten said. “We told the girls not to let them make any more and the girls responded.

     “We put them to the line 36 times, which put us in foul trouble. We had one girl foul out, three others with four and one with three fouls.”

     The L-C coach said there are still things to improve on before the next game.

     “I’m not real sure what’s gong on. We had a good preseason, but we will get our mistakes worked out,” Hatten said.

     L-C will play again on Monday, Dec. 7 as they travel in their fourth straight game taking on SHL foe Eastern Brown at 6 p.m.

BOX SCORE

SCORE BY QUARTERS

LCHS – 16 25 15 11 – 67

WUHS – 7 10 6 8 – 31

INDIVIDUAL STATS

LCHS (67)

H.Blankenship 2 (1) 1 8, L.Blankenship 3 6, M.Fittro 1 (1) 5, L.Lewis 2 4, C.Hatten 8 2 18, B.Hertlein 5 1 11, L.Hawk 5 (1) 2 15. TOTALS: 26 (3) 7 67.