By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- Most of the season the Hopkins County Central girls basketball team struggled to find a go-to scorer, but on Friday night the Lady Storm had two viable options all game long.
Seniors Amber Coakley and Brittney Orten combined to record 36 points as Central (4-19) downed Dawson Springs (1-17) 55-40 at Storm Gym.
Much like the boys matchup, Dawson kept the ballgame tight in the opening quarter, but Central pulled away as the game progressed.
Central dominated the second quarter with a 21-0 run led by Orten, who created offense by forcing turnovers and converting on shot attempts.
Coakley, who scored a game high 20 points, said the team brought extra energy into the quarter.
"Our momentum was up and we were hyped and we were ready to get the lead and keep the lead," she said.
Orten opened the second quarter with a pair of free throws and then converted on a pass from Coakley following a steal. On the next possession, Orten's younger sister Krhea drained a three-point shot from the left wing to give the Lady Storm a double-digit advantage at 21-10.
Seniors Amber Coakley and Brittney Orten combined to record 36 points as Central (4-19) downed Dawson Springs (1-17) 55-40 at Storm Gym.
Much like the boys matchup, Dawson kept the ballgame tight in the opening quarter, but Central pulled away as the game progressed.
Central dominated the second quarter with a 21-0 run led by Orten, who created offense by forcing turnovers and converting on shot attempts.
Coakley, who scored a game high 20 points, said the team brought extra energy into the quarter.
"Our momentum was up and we were hyped and we were ready to get the lead and keep the lead," she said.
Orten opened the second quarter with a pair of free throws and then converted on a pass from Coakley following a steal. On the next possession, Orten's younger sister Krhea drained a three-point shot from the left wing to give the Lady Storm a double-digit advantage at 21-10.
Orten and the Central crew continued to pour it on thereafter. Her three-point play with 3:15 before halftime put the Lady Storm in control 28-10.
Dawson's Brooke Randolph ended the drought with a three-pointer. At halftime, Central led 31-17.
The Lady Storm continued their dominance in the second half by adding to the advantage. Central also posted a season-low 17 turnovers.
As the third quarter winded to a close, point guard Hannah Murphy dove to the floor to create turnover. Coakley collected the basketball, looked to the clock, which read three seconds remaining, and passed ahead to Brittney Orten for an easy layup under the bucket as time expired. The basket put Central ahead 44-23.
The Lady Storm increased their lead to as many as 26 in the fourth, but the Panthers brought the deficit back below 20 and ended the game down 15.
With the conclusion of Friday's game, Central has won two of its last four games and lost another by just one point.
Orten said the close calls are more than welcome after a difficult start to the season.
"We haven't really been used to tight games, so it feels really good actually," she said. "I think we've been working so hard this last month. With everything that's been happening this season, we've had so many problems. Now, we've just been working 10 times harder than before."
One reason the girls have been so successful of late is Murphy's return to the lineup after missing much of the season to sickness.
Murphy's ball-handing abilities has alleviated stress from those who were charged to fill-in and allowed players like Orten to return to their regular roles.
"(Orten's) not a point guard, she's a two-guard," Flener said. "That's her true position and I've even played her in the post. She's done a great job and with Hannah back, I can put her at the point and allow (Orten) to play her true spot."
Central will look to continue its recent success at 6 p.m. today when the Lady Storm play host to Madisonville-North Hopkins.
DSHS (1-17) 10 7 6 17 - 40
HCCHS (4-19) 12 19 13 11 - 55
DSHS: Emilee Workman 14, Rihana McKnight 7, Brooke Randolph 7, Amber Genseal 6, Shelby Merrell 3, Sarah Bassett 2, Taylor Mills 1
HCCHS: Amber Coakley 20, Brittney Orten 16, Whitney Orange 6, Ashley Flener 5, Krhea Orten 3, Courtney Snodgrass 2, Brooke Daugherty 1, Hannah Murphy 1, Shalara Wells 1
Dawson's Brooke Randolph ended the drought with a three-pointer. At halftime, Central led 31-17.
The Lady Storm continued their dominance in the second half by adding to the advantage. Central also posted a season-low 17 turnovers.
As the third quarter winded to a close, point guard Hannah Murphy dove to the floor to create turnover. Coakley collected the basketball, looked to the clock, which read three seconds remaining, and passed ahead to Brittney Orten for an easy layup under the bucket as time expired. The basket put Central ahead 44-23.
The Lady Storm increased their lead to as many as 26 in the fourth, but the Panthers brought the deficit back below 20 and ended the game down 15.
With the conclusion of Friday's game, Central has won two of its last four games and lost another by just one point.
Orten said the close calls are more than welcome after a difficult start to the season.
"We haven't really been used to tight games, so it feels really good actually," she said. "I think we've been working so hard this last month. With everything that's been happening this season, we've had so many problems. Now, we've just been working 10 times harder than before."
One reason the girls have been so successful of late is Murphy's return to the lineup after missing much of the season to sickness.
Murphy's ball-handing abilities has alleviated stress from those who were charged to fill-in and allowed players like Orten to return to their regular roles.
"(Orten's) not a point guard, she's a two-guard," Flener said. "That's her true position and I've even played her in the post. She's done a great job and with Hannah back, I can put her at the point and allow (Orten) to play her true spot."
Central will look to continue its recent success at 6 p.m. today when the Lady Storm play host to Madisonville-North Hopkins.
DSHS (1-17) 10 7 6 17 - 40
HCCHS (4-19) 12 19 13 11 - 55
DSHS: Emilee Workman 14, Rihana McKnight 7, Brooke Randolph 7, Amber Genseal 6, Shelby Merrell 3, Sarah Bassett 2, Taylor Mills 1
HCCHS: Amber Coakley 20, Brittney Orten 16, Whitney Orange 6, Ashley Flener 5, Krhea Orten 3, Courtney Snodgrass 2, Brooke Daugherty 1, Hannah Murphy 1, Shalara Wells 1
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