Lady Devils rout Grays Harbor
Thursday, January 17, 2008 5:32 AM PST
By Rick McCorkle
The Daily News
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E-mail this articleIn their previous three NWAACC Western Division matchups, the Lower Columbia College Lady Devils were plagued with the same problem.
A lackluster effort in the first half, followed by lights-out play in the final 20 minutes.
Wednesday's game against the Grays Harbor Lady Chokers at Truman Myklebust Gym was no different. LCC, which never trailed, had trouble building a decent lead in the first half, then backed it with a free-wheeling second half for a 75-41 win.
"We've done this about four times in a row," LCC coach Chad Meadors said. "If we do that on Saturday against Centralia, we'll be down 25 at halftime and won't be able to dig out of the hole. The teams we've faced in the division are college teams, but they aren't the caliber of Centralia. We need to use these games as preparation to play Centralia."
The victory was the fifth straight and 10th in the last 12 outings for LCC, now 11-4 and 4-0 in league. The loss dropped Grays Harbor to 2-12 and 1-4.
LCC led 33-19 at the break, but it's how the Lady Devils got there that was distressing to Meadors. They had 17 turnovers, made 46 percent of their free throws (6-of-13) and 43 percent of their shots (12-of-28).
"I don't know if before the game I have to give them the halftime talk," Meadors said. "It makes me a little nervous, because if it doesn't work, then I have to figure out another talk for halftime."
Meadors' halftime words of wisdom must have lit a fire under the Lady Devils. LCC opened the second period with 17 consecutive points for a 50-19 lead six minutes into the half.
LCC upped its free-throw shooting to 72 percent (13-of-18) in the final 20 minutes, netted 48 percent of its shots (14-of-29) and outrebounded the Chokers 23-15.
"If we can put two second halves together, we'll be all right and have a good chance to beat a good team," Meadors said.
The Lady Devils had balanced scoring, with every player netting at least a point. Heidi Jackson led all scorers with 14 points and eight rebounds, with Katie Garcin adding 13 points. Jessi Hanna dropped in nine points, made five steals and handed out four assists,
Renee Evans grabbed eight rebounds and made five steals, Nadra Evans snagged seven erbounds, and Holly Weston chipped in six rebounds and four assists.
"I expect them to come out fired up," Meadors added. "The message is the same. It's a matter of how I'm going to deliver it so it'll sink in."
The Lady Devils host Centralia at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Lady Devils 75, Chokers 41
GRAYS HARBOR (41) -
Sarah Sides 14, Shareese Willey 9, Kellie Read 7, Caylee Sweatman 7, Heidi Viereck 0, Lauren Harris 2, Bonnie Perez 2, Erin Saari 0.
LOWER COLUMBIA (75) -
Heidi Jackson 14, Katie Garcin 13, Jessi Hanna 9, Holly Weston 5, Nadra Evans 1, Kelsey Forrest 7, Renee Evans 6, Kristina Craft 5, Jordan Budd 5, Kourtney Craft 4, Megan Holmes 4, Kasey Craft 2.
Halftime: LCC 33, GHC 19.
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