The short-handed Mount Gilead sixth grade girls’ basketball team dropped a hard fought contest to Northmor 16-7.
Saturday, they travelled to Northmor to take on the Knights – unfortunately without their top two point guards. The Indians fought and battled as they have done all year down low and controlled the boards for most of the game on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Taylor Hashman and Riley McCoy did most of the damage with eight rebounds each. Kaylene Brinkman also grabbed five and Shelby Thatcher and Moriah Brooke snagged four each.
The team as a whole played solid, sound team defense, not letting too many Knight players into the paint, especially with help up top from Meaghan Clapper and Charity Walters, who closed off most of the driving lanes. Boxing out, diving for loose balls and a lot of energy helped keep the game in check for most of the game.
On offense, despite not having their two main ball handlers, the Indians gritted it out the best they could. Becca Staley was relied on more than normal to bring the ball up the court. Hashman and Alexis Thompson, too, were asked to step up outside of their normal position and played admirably. Leading the Indians on offense was McCoy with four points, Staley with two and Hashman with one.
The Knights took advantage of some of the miscues by MG’s lack of experience in the back court resulting in most of their points on break-away layups. Despite the tough-luck loss, the Indians had a lot to be proud of. Down only five points with four minutes to play without two starters? Coach Jason Brooke and Matt Brinkman couldn’t have asked for more from their team. A different day, with the team at full strength, the result could very well have been different.
The Indians finish their regular season Saturday at home versus North Union at 9 a.m.
Information received from Jason Brooke.
