Dec. 19, 2012 — After going without a win in the first week of the season, the West Carter Lady Comets finally constructed its first victory when they returned home last Tuesday night.
Facing off against 62nd District opponent Elliott County, West’s gals used the power of the free throw in the fourth period to pull out a hard fought victory, 48-35.
The Lady Comets difficulty finding points this season appeared to be nonexistent in the first period, as they found holes in an Elliott County zone to jump out to an early 14-4 advantage, led by Lexie Berry’s six points inside.
West Carter Head Coach Bart Stevens said his girls' offensive success lies mostly in their minds.
“We can score the basketball, but these girls have to believe they can,” Stevens said. “In that first period, I saw us doing some things well on the offensive end, but mostly we were starting to make those open looks that we get.”
Four straight baskets by Elliott, including two by Samantha Worthington, cut the Lady Comet lead to 14-11 to begin the second, but West picked up its offensive play once again.
Brooke Callihan responded with a three and fast-break layup before Brooke Adkins connected on a three of her own at the midpoint of the second period.
West Carter held Elliott County to five points the rest of the quarter, pushing its lead back out to eight when Chelsea Zigler connected on two free throws resulting from a foul at the buzzer.
The Lady Lions clawed back again, this time early in the third, inching ever closer to its first lead when Ashley Holbrook grabbed a board and putback, pulling within one of West, 27-26.
This would be as close as Elliott would come, as Callihan went on a seven-point tear the rest of the period before her and Berry finished the job in the fourth, connecting on all seven of their free throw attempts.
Stevens was happy about his team’s first win.
“We needed this one tonight, and it feels good,” Stevens said. “We need for Lexie (Berry) and Brooke (Callihan) to have big nights like that for us. Brooke Adkins gave us a great effort too, and she gave us some much needed points tonight.”
Elliott County Coach, and former long-time East Carter assistant, Erica Parsons said she felt her team had a chance to win, but they failed to convert on opportunities.
“You can’t go 13 of 29 from the free throw line, and that played a big part in our loss tonight,” Parson said. “We had opportunities to score and even take the lead there, but when you failed to convert on those and we will have to move forward and learn from this.”
Callihan led the way for West Carter with a game-high 20 points, while Berry also made double figures with 16 and Adkins added seven.
Sarah Smith led Elliott County with 17 points.
West Carter went on to be Greenup County Friday night before falling to Chesapeake, Ohio Monday night.
The Lady Comets will be back in action this Thursday at 5 p.m. when they take on Ripley, Ohio in the Ohio River Cities Classic at Greenup County.
Grant Stevens can be reached at gstevens@journal-times.com or by telephone at 1-800-247-6142.
