|
|
Bradford's
Bree Bates pulls down a rebound against Covington Satruday
during sectional
action at Brookville. Bates scored 14 points but the
Lady Roaders fell short losing at the
Buccs, 54-48. CNO photos by Dylan
Knoop
|
|
Late push leaves Bradford short
Lady Roaders eliminated
By George Starks
BROOKVILLE- Coming in with a 9-12 record, the Bradford Lady Railroaders
looked to pull off a first round upset over Cross County Conference
rivals, Covington.
Earlier in the season, the Roaders lost to Covington, 51-36, but
Saturday, the Roaders were ready.
Trailing 42-27 at the end of the third quarter, Bradford put on a
fourth quarter push, only to fall short in the end, 54-48 in first
round sectional action Saturday at Brookville.
Down 25-11 at the break, first year Bradford coach, Patrick McKee saw
the positives of the second half.
“I was really proud of the girls the way they changed in the
second half,” said McKee. “We ran the court and boxed out. To be
honest, these girls played with more heart than I’ve seen them play
with all year.”
For Covington, the thorn in the side of Bradford was freshmen Jessie
Crowell. Crowell scored a career high 31 points in the win over
Bradford. Of the 31 points, Crowell picked up 11 of those points from
the foul line.
“We put her at the foul line way too much,” said McKee “She was
knocking down shots and they weren’t luck shots. She played a real nice
game today.
“She is talented,” sad McKee. “
On a day when Bradford never held a lead, the Roaders had their chances
and it came at the foul line. Losing by six, Bradford shot a dismal six
of 18 from the charity stripe.
“It was a little rough,” said McKee. “We didn’t hit our free throws and
that hurt us along the way.”
Bradford came out of the third quarter gate, scoring the first six
points of the frame, with Bree Bates getting three and a triple from
Haley Patty.
With 4:08 remaining, Brooke Dunlevey drained a three and Bradford
trailed 45-40.
“I told the girls right there how proud of them I was, every single one
of them,” McKee said. “Being down 15, it would have been real easy to
give up. My girls came out with heart and we beat them in the second
half.”
Dunlevey led the way for Bradford with 17 points while Bates added 14
of her own.
“Those two had great games and I don’t want to overlook Gabby Fair with
11 rebounds,” said McKee. “Michayla Barga had a couple huge hustle
plays for us.”
With 4:59 remaining, Barga fouled out and Patty followed her five
seconds later.
“That really hurt because Patty is my point guard and Barga is my
back-up,” said McKee. “That is the first time the entire year we’ve
been without them the entire time. We had to make some adjustments but
I think we did a decent job of it.”
With first round sectional action in the books, second round games will
be played on Tuesday and Thursday.
At 6 pm. Tuesday, Franklin Monroe will take on Southeastern with the
Mississinawa Valley Blkackhawks squaring off with Covington in the
nightcap.
Thursday, the Tri-Village Lady Patriots will take on Emmanuel Christian
20 minutes after the completion of the Newton/Catholic Central game.
|
|
Haley
Patty drives against Covington during second quarter action at
Brookville. Patty, along with Michayla
Bargs, fouled out in the fourt quarter, leaving the Roaders short
handed late in the game.
|
|
|
|
