Despite loss, Lady Panthers continuing to grow
Frankfort struggled early in its post-Christmas break game Thursday night at F.D. Wilkinson Gym when it hosted Madison Southern. The Lady Panthers showed signs of continued improvement, but lost 63-46 to the Lady Eagles.
Lady Eagle Nikki Jeck scored a game-high 38 points that included five 3-pointers and she was 13-of-15 from the charity stripe. FHS coach Candi Roten said that despite not having an answer for Jeck, her team did some good things.
"She can drive and she can shoot outside. She's a good player. She sees the floor very well and she can move," Roten said.
"We had some flashes where we did good things. We had a lot fewer turnovers, which is a good thing; a good thing. I was pleased with our effort," she said.
Dana Green had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. She also had four blocked shots. Mattie Hutcherson had seven points, nine rebounds and three of Frankfort's eight assists. Lakan Reed had seven points and seven rebounds.
While Frankfort had 24 offensive rebounds for the game, the Lady Panthers did not benefit from them early.
"In the first half we weren't finishing our putbacks, but the second half we knocked some of them down," Roten said.
"Of course this was our first game since the break, but a lot of players contributed. With 1:30 to go in the game we were down by 15 and pulled to within 10 points. We didn't execute then. We rushed it. We weren't in the situation of being that close late in the game last year, and that's something we're going to work on," she said.
Assistant coach Ross Barker added that while his team's defense made some plays, the Lady Panthers will need to improve their shooting.
"I think the biggest thing that hurts us is our lack of being able to put the ball in the basket. Sure, (Nikki) scored 38 points, but 63 points is respectable defense," Barker said. "We only hit two or three (baskets) in the paint in the first half," he said.
Roten added that the Lady Panthers' offense was able to get the ball where it wanted it to be, but the Lady Panthers could not finish.
The Lady Eagles were 5-of-7 from behind the arc in the opening minutes of the game. Trailing 6-0 early in the first quarter, Shanese Brown hit a 3-pointer to put Frankfort on the board. Rachel Williams then stole the ball, drove the length of the court and scored on a layup to cut the deficit to one point.
Madison Southern, fueled by three more treys, made a run to lead 17-9 heading into the second quarter. The Lady Eagles went on to lead by 13 points at halftime.
Frankfort trailed 44-30 heading into the fourth quarter, but Tessa Barnes, Reed, Green and Williams combined to cut Madison Southern's lead to 10 points.
"If we just hang a little longer we can get the experience to finish it out. In high school basketball with 1:12 to go with a three-point shot you're in a game if you're down by 10 points," Barker said.
"Not knowing how to be patient at that time is one (important thing) at this level. You have to make them guard you down the stretch," he said.
The Lady Eagles finished the game with a 11-4 run. Frankfort will host district foe Woodford County tonight at 6:30, followed by a boys game at 8:15.
Madison Southern (63) " Nikki Jeck 38, Brittany Calhoun 7, Brooke Casteel 6, Courtney Harold 4, Tosha Boggs 2, Mary Mullins 1.
Frankfort (46) " Dana Green 10, Rachel Williams, 8, Mattie Hutcherson 7, Lakan Reed 7, Tessa Barnes 5, Shanese Brown 5, Rachel Williams 2, Sheree Brown 2.