CROTHERSVILLE
Some basketball games you win with a strong offensive performance while on other nights a strong defensive effort can make the difference between a win and a loss.
Crothersville coach Kevin Hensley credits the Tigers’ defense for the 80-40 win over Shawe Memorial at home Monday night.
“We’ve been working on our man defense a lot and it’s really starting to come into it, a lot better than our zone,” he said. “We get lazy in our zone, and one thing we’ve been working on in practice is becoming a better defensive team.
“We tell our girls all the time our offense is going to come from our defense. You turn teams over and you’re going to get layups. We’re trying to put a lot more pressure out front so we can get easy opportunities.”
Crothersville took control early as a 3-point basket by Makinzee Isley at the 5:11-mark to put the home team on top 7-0.
The Tigers made only 4 of 14 shots from the floor in the first period, but they forced the Hilltoppers into seven turnovers and to 1-for-11 shooting from the floor to grab a 16-3 lead.
Makayla Helt also had a 3 in the opening period, and when the Tigers pounded the ball inside they were fouled as Addy Cole was 4-for-4 and Helt made both of her free throws in the opening period.
The Tigers scored from all over the floor in the second period as Bekah Cook, Isley and Kennedi Lakins drilled 3-pointers, Graces Wilson added two baskets and two free throws, and Zoe Spangler scored two field goals from close range as the Tigers went on a 26-10 run for a 42-13 lead at the half.
Helt and Isabel Lewis both hit two 3-pointers, and Isley added another 3 in the third quarter when the Tigers outscored Shawe 28-11 to hold a 70-24 lead going into the final period.
Isley topped the CHS scoring with 16 points, Helt scored 15, Cole and Cook scored 10 apiece to put four players in double figures for the second time this season.
Lakins added nine, Wilson eight, Isabell Lewis six, Spangler four and Shania Hyland two giving Crothersville nine players in the scoring column.
The Tigers made 10 3-pointers and shot 28-for-56 for the game, and Shawe shot 17-for-56
“That (balance) is something we’ve been looking for,” Hensley said. “The really good teams that we play we can’t get that kind of consistency and that’s because they have a little bit better defense. Shawe’s girls played hard, but this was one of our better shooting nights. Everybody was knocking downs hots.
Grace McAllister led the Hilltoppers (1-8) with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers held a 30-24 advantage in rebounds with Cole leading the Tigers with 10.
Crothersville had 12 turnovers to 17 for Shawe.
The Tigers (7-5) will prepare for their holiday tournament on Saturday. Crothersville will play Indianapolis Scecina at 10 a.m., and Morristown will face Rising Sun in the second game. The consolation game will start at 6 p.m. with the championship game to follow.