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Lady Panthers fall at home
By Eric Wade
Daily Mail Sports Editor
Throughout the past few seasons, the Sheldon Lady Panthers basketball team has taken more than its fair share of lumps and head coach Jason Irwin entered Tuesday night's home opener knowing this season would likely be no exception.
Though it was hard to say, simply based on practices and who was back on this year's roster, what kind of year it would be, the Lady Panthers didn't have to wait long to test the waters as they opened the 2013-14 season against a Montrose Lady Jays team that nearly won the Golden Valley Vernon County Conference tournament last season with just six players -- all of whom are back with the team this year. The Lady Jays ultimately proved that they might not be quite as stiff a conference contender as last year, but were still more than the Lady Panthers could handle as they took the victory by a final score of 38-13.
It was clear right from the start of the contest that it was going to be a low-scoring affair as neither squad could find the basket early. Montrose ultimately found a bit of a rhythm as the minutes wore on, however, taking a 12-5 lead into the second period.
Though the Lady Panthers struggled on the offensive end of the floor throughout the night, a stiff and aggressive Sheldon defense kept the Lady Jays from doing a lot of things they wanted to do throughout the contest. The Lady Jays played aggressively on the defensive end themselves, as well, ultimately resulting in a dozen jump balls and 13 Sheldon turnovers in the first half.
The stiff defense the Lady Panthers employed did keep them within striking distance -- down by just 10 points at halftime -- but didn't come without its problems. Logan Lamb finished the first half with three fouls and ultimately ended up being one of three Sheldon players with at least that many in the third quarter as she picked up her fourth in the first minute of the second half.
The Lady Panthers continued to struggle from the field throughout the night, ultimately finishing the contest just 5-for-28. That, combined with 23 Lady Panthers turnovers was all the advantage Montrose needed as head coach Kevin LaSalle's squad pulled away in the second half.
By the time all was said and done, the Lady Jays used those advantages to work their way to a 15-point victory.
Lamb shared the team lead in scoring with Destiny Shelton as both players finished with five points for the Lady Panthers. Melissa Handle nearly echoed those efforts as she finished the night with Sheldon's other three points.
With the loss, the Lady Panthers opened the season with an overall record of 0-1, and also started 0-1 in GVVC Conference play.
Irwin's squad is scheduled to be back in action on Thursday, joining head coach Tyler Judd's boys' squad in Sheldon's first road trip of the season, taking on the Lady Hornets of Hume. The first game of the night is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m., inside Larry Berry Gymnasium at Hume High School.