Lady Patriots win Carbondale’s Mid-Winter Classic

The win over Mt. Vernon was a shocker on a couple of fronts. The Lady Rams put a 19-point beat-down on Massac in November on the the Lady Patriots’ home floor and had established themselves as one of the premier teams in southern Illinois. Given that, to beat them was a little surprising, but beating them by 31 points with a running clock … WOW!

Massac took full advantage of a slew of Mt. Vernon turnovers in the first quarter and never looked back as they ran up a 16-5 first quarter lead and extended that to 40-14 at halftime. Massac flipped the script on the Lady Rams as they went to full court pressure in this meeting and stymied the Lady Rams’ offense.

The Lady Patriots also ran a tight ship on offense.

“We’re starting to share the basketball and get some second chance opportunities now,” said coach Justin Kindle. “We’re starting to really develop within our offense and understand where we’re going to get our looks in each possession.”

Massac placed three girls in double figures with Sophie Bormann leading the way with 24 points. Elise Coakley was close on her heels with a 20-point performance and Brooklynn Burnett tossed in 14.

Next up for the Lady Patriots was Carbondale and the Terriers posed no problem for the girls as they raced out to a 17-2 first quarter lead and a 36-11 halftime bulge. The big lead afforded some valuable playing time for Kindle’s bench and seven girls made the scorer’s book with Bormann and Burnett each reaching double figures in the 30-point win.

Carterville’s Lions were the Lady Patriots’ opponents in the title game, and Amayah Doyle and company proved to be the biggest hurdle Massac faced at Carbondale.

Massac held a one-point lead, 13-12, at the first horn, but fell behind 31-25 at the halftime as Doyle exploded for 12 points in the second quarter. The third quarter was run and gun for both teams with Massac putting up 20 and the Lions totaling 21 for a seven-point Carterville lead after three quarters at 52-45.

But the Lady Patriots weren’t done … by a long shot.

Adalyn Gower led a frantic fourth quarter charge that brought Massac back and then some. Gower tossed in a pair of triples and a two-point bucket. Bormann added a bucket and Gower, Bormann, Coakley and Burnett canned 12 of 19 free throws in the final frame for 22 points, while holding Carterville to a mere 12 points for a thrilling, come-from-behind 67-64 win. That final quarter saw Massac corral Doyle and limit her to four free throws.

Massac placed four Lady Patriots in double figures. Bormann had 24 points. Gower’s frantic fourth quarter pushed her game total to 15 points. Coakley and Burnett were both solid with 14 points.

While the Lady Patriots have reached a good place offensively, the defense has remained rock steady. Monique Hart has become the anchor of the Lady Patriots’ defense and with the quick hands of Gower and Bormann outside and the presence of Burnett and Coakley inside, Massac has reached a really good place, period!

The Lady Patriots got a brief respite before resuming play Tuesday night, Jan. 24, against Harrisburg.

Harrisburg came into the game with a lone conference loss against two for Massac County.

Benton still remains unbeaten in conference play.