Thursday, December 12, 2024

Shealyn Pliley Has Monster Night to Cool Red Hot Shamrock Girls

Shealyn Pliley had a monster night for Winston Thursday, getting 21 points, 7 boards, and 7 assists, meaning that she either scored or assisted on 35 of Winston's 39 points in their 39-37 win over North Harrison. The Shamrocks, who had raised their record to 3-1 after a 40-36 win over Polo and a 59-53 win over Braymer, cooled off as the long layoff killed their momentum. The giveaway/takeaway ratio, instrumental in Worth County's turnaround this year, was costly for the Shamrocks as they turned the ball over 19 times and only forced 11 turnovers. They fought back and nearly caught the Redbirds in the fourth quarter after forcing six turnovers in the fourth quarter after forcing only 6 through three. Their rebounding kept them in the game much of the night as they had 34 rebounds to 21 for the Redbirds. Reiann Hampton also had a big night for the Redbirds, getting six steals in the win.

Ava Rinehart's free throw put North Harrison up 3-1 in the first quarter, but a triple by Kaitlyn Estes and a backdoor layup by Hampton put the Redbirds up 6-3. Winston, coached by Ryan Hutchcraft, who previously taught at Worth County, was looking for the backdoor layup all night any time the Shamrocks tried to pressure the ball or jump a pass. Lani Brigg's three knotted it at six and Hali Smith put the Shamrocks in front 8-6 after a coast to coast layup, but then back to back jacks by Pliley put the Redbirds back up 12-8 after one.

The Shamrocks made a push in the second quarter and got the lead behind baskets from Hali Smith, Jaxcynn Hansel, and Lani Briggs to go up 14-13. The teams traded leads for the rest of the period until a pair of lapses by the Shamrocks, one on offense and one on defense, put the Redbirds in front to stay. First, Pliley stole the ball and put the Redbirds up 19-18 and then Pliley found Avery Taylor all alone to put the Redbirds up 21-18 at the half. 

The Redbirds used that momentum shift to pull further ahead as Pliley scored from inside, Pliley got an offensive board which led to free throws from Kaitlyn Estes, Pliley hit from the left side, and Estes got open for three to make it 31-22. Jaxcynn Hansel got a putback and Hali Smith got a third chance putback to cut it to 31-26, but Pliley connected again and then lobbed it into Taylor to make it 35-26.

But then North Harrison woke up and started doing a much better job of pressuring the ball and started coming back. Hali Smith slashed and scored, Lani Briggs got loose in transition, and it was 35-30 again. Pliley hit two free throws to make it 37-30 with 4:52 left, but Lani Briggs pulled up and scored to make it 37-32 and Ava Rinehart followed with a drive with 2:29 left to make it one possession. But North Harrison missed two chances to make it one or two and had to foul, and Taylor made a free throw to make it two possessions at 38-34. Ava Rinehart missed a runner and then Pliley made another free throw before Lani Briggs rushed it up the floor and hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Lani Briggs had 12 points. Hali Smith had 10, Jaxcynn Hansel 8, Ava Rinehart 5, and Addison Milligan 2.

Hali Smith and Jaxcynn Hansel had 3 blocks each. Ava Rinehart had 1.

Ava Rinehart had 9 boards. Jaxcynn Hansel had 8, Hali Smith and Gracie Young 6, Addison Milligan 4, and Lani Briggs 1.

Hali Smith had 4 assists, Gracie Young, Addison Milligan, and Ava Rinehart 2, and Gracie Young 1.

Ava Rinehart had 5 tips, Hali Smith 4, Lani Briggs 2, and Addison Milligan 1.

Hali Smith had 4 steals. Ava Rinehart and Jaxcynn Hansel had 2 and Addison Milligan 1.


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