By Stephen Smoot
Tucker County jumped on top early and did not let up until well after the score had decided the contest. The onslaught ended a season of both struggle and success for the Wildcats as the young squad ended a season where they exceeded expectations tremendously.
Pendleton County won the initial tip, but Tucker County took the first score with a layup only 25 seconds into the game. They then hit a three-point shot at the seven minute mark, answered by a long range make from Avery Townsend to cut their lead to 5-3.
The Mountain Lion offense roared into life as they hit five three-point shots and scored 23 in the first quarter, showing the reason for their position in the top of the rankings all year long.
Jenna Smith and Townsend tried to answer with three-point shots to slice into the Tucker County lead. Smith’s accuracy has improved tremendously over the past month, especially from long range, despite a nagging injury.
Besides their high percentage shooting, Tucker County’s main weapon lay in a difficult to break press that harassed the Wildcats up and down the court. With the exception of steams from Townsend and Smith, they also maintained good control of the ball in the first half.
By the close of the second quarter, Tucker County had taken a 45-18 advantage.
As coach Donnie Kopp repeated all year, however, Pendleton County played proudly and never quit. Townsend opened the second half with an athletic move and finger roll to give her team its 20th point. She followed that up shortly thereafter by taking a pass from Jameigh Miller and hitting a short range jumper.
By the three minute mark in the third period, Tucker County had amassed a 61-22 lead.
Yet they continued to press Pendleton County until 1:54 remaining in the quarter.
Conversely, when the Wildcat boys in their sectionals played a Pocahontas County squad that had struggled to perform against Pendleton County squad all year, the head coach did not employ the full court press once and substituted early and often out of respect for the other team and to teach their own players the right way to play.
By that point, the Wildcats had already started to roll back the home team’s advantage. Townsend hit a three-point shot and followed that with a length of the floor drive for a layup. Susan Vincell followed an offensive rebound with a layup of her own. Smith then hit a three early in the fourth.
The team continued to go after Tucker County on defense too. Gabby DePue registered a blocked shot in the fourth. Nataley Hedrick, Julia Mongold, Kiera Heavener, and Olivia Gonshor all worked aggressively on defense and slowed down the Mountain Lions over the fourth quarter.
The close of the game saw a score of 77-40, which halved the margin of defeat suffered in the last outing.
Pendleton County has fought uphill all season long against considerable adversity, winning big games and making memories in the process. The young team gained a great deal of experience against tough competition, forged a new identity, and saw a cadre of leaders emerge.
There is much to get excited about when looking forward to Wildcat basketball in the coming years.
