Lady Cougars fall to Hope
After a hard fought contest with Hope Tuesday at home, the Centre High School girls' basketball team was defeated 45-51.
Both teams scored 10 points in the first quarter.
With the game tied, 18-18, and two minutes to play in the second quarter, a Hope player scored a three pointer. Two free throws by Raschelle Jirak brought Centre within two, 20-22.
Despite two consecutive Centre field goals, another Hope three point basket and a free throw left Centre behind, 24-27, at half-time.
The Lions extended their lead to seven, 37-30, during the third quarter.
Laura Klenda fouled out at 4:34 in the last quarter. A three-point shot by Hope was answered by a three-point shot by Brianne Stahlecker. This exchange was followed by two free throws by Jackie Klenda, bringing the score to 42-47.
With 45 seconds to go in the game, the Lady Cougars came within two points, 45-47, but a victory was not to be. Hope went on to win by a score of 51-45.
Centre made 24 percent of their field goals; Hope made 33. Centre completed 10 of 19 free throw attempts; Hope completed seven of 14. Only one Centre player was in double digits. Jirak scored 11 points.
The Lady Cougars' strong defensive play was manifested in the fact that they stole the ball 12 times compared to four times by the Lady Lions.
Leading rebounders were Laura Klenda, 13, and Ashlee Bowman, 11.
Individual statistics
Points scored: Jill Fenske, 2; Jackie Klenda, 4; Ashlee Bowman 9; Kristin Mueller, 4; Raschelle Jirak, 11; Brianne Stahlecker, 7; Laura Klenda, 8.
Fouls: J. Klenda, 1; Bowman, 4; Mueller, 1; Jirak, 3; Stahlecker, 3; L. Klenda, 5.
Field goals completed/attempted: Fenske 1/9; J. Klenda 1/7; Bowman, 4/9; Mueller, 1/3; Jirak 3/14; Stahlecker 3/15; L. Klenda, 4/13.
Free throws completed/attempted: Fenske 0/2; J. Klenda; 2/2; Bowman 1/3; Mueller, 2/2; Jirak 5/7; L. Klenda 0/3.
Rebounds: Fenske, Mueller, Stahlecker, 1 each; J. Klenda, 2; Bowman, 11; Jirak, 5; L. Klenda, 13.
Blocked shots: Bowman, 1; L. Klenda, 2.
Assists: Fenske, 4; J. Klenda, 4; Bowman, 2; Jirak, 1; Stahlecker 2; L. Klenda, 1.
Steals: Fenske, J. Klenda, Stahlecker, 2 each; Bowman, Mueller, Jirak, 1 each; L. Klenda, 3.
Turnovers: Fenske, J. Klenda, Jirak, 4 each; Bowman, Mueller, Stahlecker, L. Klenda, 2 each.