Photos by Barry BurlesonJaniyah Allen (21) of Holly Springs plays some up-close defense versus Kossuth in the playoffs. In the background is teammate Zayriah Farrow (5).
Morgan Vickery, head coach of the Lady Hawks, draws up a play in the second half of the playoff game against Kossuth.
Lady Hawks eliminated in OT
Taking a look at the scorebook from the Holly Springs versus Kossuth first round playoff game, one thing stands out.
The Lady Hawks were eight of 30 from the free-throw stripe in their 58-55 overtime loss to Kossuth. The Lady Aggies, on the other hand, hit 23 of 29.
Holly Springs saw one of its best seasons ever in girls’ basketball come to an end with the home loss Monday, Feb. 16, in the Class 3A round of 32. Coach Morgan Vickery’s squad finished with a 21-6 record.
Both teams got off to a rugged start offensively. Kossuth led 5-3 at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Hawks snatched their first advantage with 26 seconds left in the half when Teyuana Reaves drove to the goal and scored. Janiyah Allen sank a three just before the buzzer for a 21-17 lead at the break.
Each team had trouble solving the other’s full-court pressure. Turnovers were rampant. Holly Springs turned the basketball over a couple of times to start the second half, and the game was quickly tied at 21. The Lady Hawks led 3534 entering the fourth.
Holly Springs went up by as many as five in the fourth when Zianna Schlender cashed in a put-back. But that lead dwindled down the stretch, largely due to the play of Kossuth’s Alana Lewis. She was seven of seven from the free-throw stripe in the fourth.
Schlender tied the game on another put-back just before the fourth-quarter horn. Allen’s steal and bucket put the Lady Hawks up three with 2:26 left in overtime, but the home team could not hang on.
Schlender led Holly Springs with 19 points, 13 of those coming in the fourth quarter and overtime. Reaves added 13.
For Kossuth, Lewis tallied 28. She was four of four from the charity stripe in the extra period and 14 of 15 for the game. Emma Franks added 10.
Class 1A Girls H.W. Byers, Hickory Flat and Ashland girls were all eliminated from post-season play in the opening round of the Class 1A state playoffs on Monday of last week. The Lady Lions fell to Thrasher 51-45, the Lady Rebels to Biggersville 67-43 and the Lady Blue Devils to Wheeler 47-11.