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Lady Tigers varsity drops two tough games
The Nevada Lady Tigers suffered two tough losses recently to some solid competition.
The Webb City Lady Cardinals came into Saturday's game on the final day of the Carthage Lady Tiger Classic with a strong 9-2 record on the season and were hoping to improve on that with a solid performance. The Lady Tigers, however, game into the game at 2-6 and were looking for redemption from the previous night's 61-18 defeat at the hands of Nixa.
The Lady Cards' defense came out very strong right from the outset in the game, disrupting Nevada's game almost constantly with their steady full court press and aggressive backcourt double teams. A very talented offense helped out Webb City's effort as well, as they were able to penetrate Nevada's zone defense almost at will and added some very strong shooting to the mix.
By the time the final buzzer sounded to end the first quarter, the Lady Tigers found themselves in another sizeable hole, down 16-5. Turnovers plagued both teams early in the game, but the Lady Cardinals were able to find their rhythm and improve their ball control late in the opening period while Nevada's turnovers troubles continued through the remainder of the half.
Webb City's tough, aggressive defense continued right through the second period, holding Nevada to just nine points in the first half. Poor shooting and the continued trouble with turnovers for the Lady Tigers eventually allowed Webb City to take a 34-9 lead into the locker room for halftime.
Nevada looked to improve their game plan and get back into the game in the second half, but the shots still wouldn't fall throughout the remainder of the game. Turnovers once again plagued the Lady Tigers in the third period as well, but their defensive pressure finally began to pick up in the closing minutes of the period as they switched out of their 2-3 zone and back into the full court pressure that Nevada fans are used to seeing.
Errant passes and poor ball control throughout the contest were a major part of Nevada's offensive struggles in the game, as they were plagued by numerous turnovers all game long. Head coach Brent Bartlett simply said of the passing troubles, "You have to want the ball in your hands."
The 51-15 score at the end of the third period enacted the running clock for the game's final eight minute and the game quickly came to an end as Nevada put up the lone point in the fourth quarter, leading to a final score of 51-16. The Lady Cardinals set a new tournament record in the contest, allowing the fewest points in a game of any team in the 14-year history of the tournament by a single point.
Though happy with the improvements that his team showed in the late stages of the contest, Bartlett was still disappointed with the day's showing. "It was still a little disappointing," he said. "We still have to play hard."
Despite the disappointment on the day, Bartlett still continued to hold his head high and spoke very well of his team as a whole. "They're a great group of kids," he said. " I just couldn't ask for a better group of girls to coach."
With the loss, the Lady Tigers fell to 2-7 on the year and hoped to get back on the winning track as they were scheduled to return home against Bolivar Monday night.
In that game, the Lady Tigers came out against a very tough Bolivar defense and were held scoreless for the first three minutes of the game. Poor shooting and numerous turnovers became a major thorn in Nevada's side early and Bolivar took advantage, pulling out to a 15-4 lead going into the second period.
Bolivar's strong defense continued through the remainder of the half and they began to experience some shooting troubles of their own in the second quarter, allowing Nevada to stay in the game, but still managing an 8-6 edge in the period to take a 23-10 lead into the break.
All six of Nevada's points in the second quarter came in the form of 3-pointers from Allie Irwin, making her the leading scorer of the half for the Lady Tigers. For Bolivar, Haylee Blair led the offensive attack with nine points.
The second half started in much the same way as the first for both teams as Bolivar continued its defensive dominance and Nevada's turnovers troubles began to make a return. The shooting for the Lady Tigers went back-and-forth in the period, starting off strong and ending up very similar to the troubles of the first half.
By the time the final buzzer sounded in the third quarter, the Lady Tigers found themselves down by 12. at 34-22.
The Nevada defense showed drastic improvements in the fourth quarter, but it would simply prove to be too little, too late. Bolivar found its offensive rhythm and was able to overcome Nevada's tough defensive play with some very strong shooting that led to a 45-28 victory.
Blair's nine first half points proved to be enough to lead the effort for Bolivar on the night, while Irwin and Heather Thomas tied for Nevada's top score of six points.
After the game, Bartlett said of his team, "I'm really proud of them. If they give me that performance every night, I'll be very pleased with them."
Neither team shot very well from the charity stripe on the night as Nevada shot 54 percent while Bolivar hit 69 percent of their shots.
With that loss, the Lady Tigers fall to 2-8 on the season and are scheduled to be in action again tonight as they head to Joplin.