Jefferson girls turn over Cougars

By Jim Metcalfe, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Saturday, December 5, 2009 (3 months, 1 week ago)
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Near the end of the first quarter, the Jefferson Ladycats got rolling, with Kristin Klausing getting into the lane between Van Wert defenders Gretchen Klinker and Molly Gamble for two of her game-high 28 in a 25-point victory.jmetcalfe@delphosherald.com

DELPHOS — For the second game in a row, Jefferson’s girls basketball team used a strong second period to send them on their way.
Thursday night, it was a 22-10 margin versus Van Wert and the final result was a 62-37 non-conference victory at the Jefferson Middle School Auditorium.
It wasn’t as if the first period was all that terrible for the Lady Wildcats (3-0). The Lady Cougars (0-3) sat back in a 2-3 zone and using their height advantage, forced the Wildcats to settle for a slower pace. Jefferson used senior Mallorie Wilson (6 of her 9 points in the period) and junior Kristin Klausing (4 of her game-high 28, to go with 6 steals and 5 assists) to set the tone. After Van Wert’s Nikki Morrow (17 markers, 2 trios) banged a triple with 50 seconds left to give the visitors an 11-6 lead, a 6-0 spurt in the final 30 seconds: Klausing’s four and a short jumper by junior Bridget Culp to beat the horn; gave the hosts a lead they never relinquished at 12-11.
Jefferson unleashed its dreaded full-court pressure in the second stanza and the Cougars most definitely struggled: 13 of their 33 game miscues (16 for the Wildcats) came in the eight minutes. That enabled the Red and White to can 9-of-16 shots, including 3-of-5 from long distance (25-of-54 overall, 5-of-13 downtown, for 46.3%), with Klausing dropping in 12 counters in the process. They built up a 34-21 halftime advantage courtesy of a bomb by senior Jenna Miller (6 steals) from right of the key to beat the horn.
“The first quarter, we played at their pace. Instead of attacking their zone, we passed it around the perimeter too much,” Jefferson mentor Dave Hoffman said. “We also missed some layups and inside looks. The second quarter, we got the pace the way we wanted. Kristin played well in particular. We also had contributions from others at various times, which will make us tougher to defend. We never let their size advantage come into play.”
Van Wert coach Destri Bockey had no problem identifying the culprit in her team’s loss.
“Too many turnovers. They apply good pressure but many of them were simply being careless with the ball or not being strong with it,” Bockey observed. “With our lack of high-percentage shooting, we need to have 60-75 shots a night. With that many turnovers, we didn’t have nearly enough tries at the basket to win.”
Van Wert hit 14-of-39 from the field, 3-of-5 triples, for 37.4 percent.
Jefferson didn’t force as many miscues in the third canto (7) and had six of its own. The offense wasn’t as effective but still canned 6-of-13 (versus 4-of-14 for the visitors), including a pair of bombs by Klausing. Thus, when junior Chelsey Fischer bounced in a 15-footer from the left corner with 12 ticks to go, their lead stood at 50-30.
With nothing to be decided but the final margin of victory in the finale, Jefferson’s largest bulge was the final score.
“The second half, we executed our offense a lot better in the half-court. We ran a lot of high-low with Mallorie and Bridget (Culp; 3 assists),” Hoffman added. “We were a little more consistent tonight than we had been our first two games. We still need to be more consistent from the start and establish our tempo but the season’s still young; it’s like we’re working our way into it slowly and steadily.”
Van Wert ended up 6-of-11 at the line (54.5%); grabbed 36 caroms (12 offensive) as Molly Gamble nabbed 12 and Alex Morrow five (with 5 blocks); and totaled 12 fouls. They host St. John’s 6 p.m. (junior varsity start) Tuesday.
“Our intensity in the first quarter was a lot better than in our first two games and perhaps the best we’ve had in two years. I don’t know if we got tired or not but we didn’t maintain it in the second,” Bockey added. “We knew what Jefferson was going to do — we scouted them against Fairview Tuesday — but we weren’t tough with the ball. We never consistently got the ball inside.”
Jefferson canned 7-of-11 singles (63.6%); secured 23 boards (10 offensive); and compiled 11 fouls. They begin NWC play Thursday at defending league champion Crestview.
In the JV ranks, Jefferson (2-1) overcame a 6-point first-period deficit with a 31-18 middle two periods and squelched the Lady Cougars (0-3) 54-49.
Sophomore Megan Gilden dropped in 16 and freshman Taylor Branham added 15 for the victors. Brooke Fuerst countered with 14.

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