Ladycats roll on with 62-29 win over Saint Jo News Staff Wed, 02/21/2024 - 3:29 pm
- (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle’s Sophie Terrell puts up a shot near the basket with defenders around her in one of the team’s earlier playoff games. The Ladycats defeated Saint Jo 62-29 Tuesday, Feb. 20 and advanced to the regional semifinals Friday, Feb. 23.
- (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle’s Mattie Dollar brings the ball up the court looking to score during one of her team’s games earlier this season. The Ladycats defeated Saint Jo 62-29 Tuesday, Feb. 20 and advanced to the regional semifinals Friday, Feb. 23.
- (TC GORDON | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Newcastle’s Camren Mallory sets up her pass to a teammate during the team’s area round playoff win. The Ladycats kept their playoff run rolling with a 62-29 victory Tuesday, Feb. 20 over Saint Jo.
TC Gordon sports@grahamleader.com
In what was supposed to be one of the Ladycats’ toughest games to date, Newcastle came out and earned one of their biggest wins of their playoff run thus far.
The Ladycats came out on fire on both sides of the ball from the opening tipoff and ran away with a 62-29 victory Tuesday, Feb. 20 over the Saint Jo Lady Panthers. With their third consecutive playoff win, Newcastle has all the momentum in the world as they continue their way towards a championship.
A major key for the Ladycats this postseason has been starting out strong. In their first game it took a few minutes to get going, but by this matchup Newcastle was ready to go. After just one quarter of play, the Ladycats led by an astounding score of 20-1. Saint Jo’s only point in the period came on a free throw.
Junior Mattie Dollar got the scoring started for her team and did the bulk of it in the first quarter. Freshman Kenzie King scored two points on a trip to the free throw line while Dollar scored the other 18 points for her team.
Saint Jo eventually figured some things out in the second quarter but it didn’t matter at all. The Lady Panthers scored eight points in the second period while the Ladycats put up another 14 points.
Dollar continued her torrid offensive shooting, while Newcastle also received points from freshman Camren Mallory and sophomore Sophie Terrell. At halftime, Newcastle held a commanding 34-9 lead and were well on their way to the victory.
The second half followed almost an identical script as the first did for both teams. The Ladycats came out hot as they outscored the Lady Panthers 19-4 in the third quarter.
Senior Mya Cabrera took the lead in scoring for Newcastle during the period as she recorded eight of the team’s points. Dollar, Terrell, Mallory and sophomore Emma Hawkins also made buckets in the quarter as Newcastle opened up a 40-point lead over Saint Jo and led 53-13 heading into the final frame.
With the win secured, Newcastle allowed a few more points in the fourth quarter but it hardly made a dent in their strong lead. The Ladycats were able to get some reserve players into the game as they held on for the huge 62-29 win when the final buzzer sounded.
Dollar finished the game with an incredible 31 points followed by Cabrera, who also finished in double figures with 11 points. Mallory ended the game with 6 points and Terrell and Hawkins each had 4 points.
With the win, the Ladycats advanced to the regional semifinals which will take place Friday, Nov. 23 with tipoff at 7 p.m. Newcastle will take on Huckabay on a neutral court at Mansfield High School.
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