|
Kalamazoo Valley Women's Basketball |
February 27, 2008 KVCC (49) at
Muskegon (82) in Muskegon, MI (MCCAA Tournament quarterfinals)
Coach's comments:
"Like going into a shootout at the OK Corral with a knife."
That's how Cougar Coach Ron Welch described the Lady Cougar's quarter final game
against Muskegon. "I hate going into a game like that without all our
weapons." he continued, "but that's the hand fate dealt us and I'm proud as heck
of the ones that felt well enough to play. They really battled. The
only thing you can do is tip your hat to Muskegon. They played
exceptionally well - particularly in the second half - and we wish them well in
their game with Schoolcraft on Friday." This is the third straight year
that the Cougars have bowed out of the 'state' tournament in the quarterfinal
round after winning the whole thing in 2004.
What Welch was referring to was the fact
that his starting backcourt of Shannon Dumond and Ericka King played very
limited minutes because of illness. "I was tempted to just shut them both
down, but they're both such 'gamers' they wanted to give it a try and do what
they could." said Welch. Dumond didn't start (a first this year) and Roni (King)
tried it but had to come out and headed for the nearest trash receptacle. It was
pretty obvious early on that they were willing, but not able, and we turned it
over to their teammates. Again, I'm really proud of the effort expended by
all the kids, but we had trouble finding the shooting touch in the second half
and Muskegon was throwing every thing in." The Cougars absorbed their
first double digit loss of the season.
Not much went well for the Cougars this
night, but they managed to keep it relatively close at the half (there were 8
lead changes and 5 ties in the first half) by shutting down the Jayhawk's star
post player, Lenisha Williams, holding her to 4 points in the half and 10 points
for the game. "She's a pretty special player and I thought we did a nice
job of limiting her touches and offensive rebounding, but good teams adjust to
that - and Muskegon is a good team. Their perimeters really stepped up,
led by Darcell Williams, raining 9 threes on us. It was pretty much pick
your poison." Darcell Williams led the Muskegon onslaught with 19 points on 5 of
6 shooting from deep. "She made three in the first half with the shot clock
under 5 seconds and a hand in her face, then got another one just like that in
the 2nd half." praised Welch. "She's a player, but when she and her
teammates are shooting like that you know it's gonna be a long night."
The Jayhawks were 9 of 15 from outside the arc. According to Ron Jenkins, the
1st year Muskegon coach, "By far our best effort from outside three for the
year." Great...
The home standing MCC team put 5 people in
double figures in this one. Lauren Mouthaan had 16, Emily Johnson and Santrea
Bush had 12 each to join the Williams girls in that category.
The loss over shadowed a fine showing by
the Cougar's young 'combo' guard from Mattawan, Nicole Compher, who led the
Cougars in scoring with 12 points. Compher added 4 steals and 5 rebounds to lead
the Cougars in those categories also. "Coley was thrust into a new role
tonight." explained Welch. "I thought she responded pretty well." Jeannie
Closson added nine points and soph Jessica Sanders chipped in 7 points, 4
assists and 4 steals. Alicia Jesnek also added a 7 point effort.
Live to fight another day. The
feeling here is that the Cougars will bounce back from this one and be ready for
the Regional tournament.
Who's next?
Lady Cougars now move on to the NJCAA
Regional Tournament hosted by Edison CC in Piqua, Ohio. They tip off the
tournament against the #2 seed from Ohio - Cincinnati Tech CC.
Game time is 3:00 pm. on Thursday March 6th.
More information on Regional tournament match ups can be found on the
schedule page of the KVCC women's basketball
site. Click on the link below for more info.
Schedule Page
