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HILLSBORO — If you would’ve told McClain coach Shania Massie that her Tigers would be 11-1 heading into the Christmas break, she may not have believed that.
But that is indeed where Massie’s group now sits.
The team’s 11th victory — and by far, the most important so far — came on Saturday in a 51-49 final at Hillsboro.
And the Tigers had to fight and scratch the entire way through to claim it.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
“Over the summer, I was a little bit worried,” Massie said. “I didn’t even know if we’d be a .500 team. We kind of changed the coaching environment, what we do and my girls adjusted well. I think my girls have respected me and I respect them. We just became a really close team. Players and coaches. I can’t ask for more than what they’ve given.”
Paisley Pryor gave everything and then some in Saturday’s victory.
The sophomore guard had her way with Hillsboro’s defense throughout the entirety of the first half, dropping 20 points in the first 16 minutes of game time.
However, in the second half, the Indians limited Pryor to just three points. While she was face-guarded and hounded, her teammates adjusted and picked up the slack in the most needed moments.
“It’s very important to try and adjust to that,” Massie said. “The majority of the teams that we do play our face-guarding Paisley. I try to make it to where Paisley isn’t our only player. We are a team and it’s great to have those other girls step up. It’s just important for us to share the basketball and if we do that and play as one, we’re a really good team.”
Hillsboro’s Kobie Miles began an action-packed first quarter with a bucket at the 7:36 mark before Pryor answered with a 3 on the other end. The Indians (7-1, 4-1 FAC) then took a 7-3 lead with a bucket from Peighton Bledsoe and three free throws from Ella Jordan.
Pryor then nailed a triple with 3:40 left before Brenna Wright got a basket to fall through contact. When she hit the ensuing foul shot, McClain (11-1, 5-0 FAC) had a 9-7 advantage.
That back-and-forth style of play would continue throughout the rest of the afternoon.
The rest of the first quarter saw three more lead changes and, with McClain leading 16-14 late, Hillsboro’s Dinah Ames scored with 21.5 seconds left to force a tie going into the second.
Pryor allowed McClain to enjoy the lead through much of the second, scoring at the 7:06 and 5:22 marks, producing a 20-16 count. But Hillsboro used scores from Kyra Boyd and Tylee Davis, as well as a 3 from Miles, to go on an 8-2 run and take a 24-22 lead with 2:40 to go.
PHOTOS: Images from McClain’s win over Hillsboro
Pryor had an answer, though. She hit the front end of the two free throws before sinking a jump shot with 2:10 left, putting her Tigers out in front by a 25-24 count. Henson then dialed long distance, allowing McClain to retain a 28-26 lead at the break.
“I was just telling them to be patient,” Massie said. “If you want to ball-fake, ball-fake. Don’t force any turnovers. Obviously, we were trying to get the ball to Paisley, who was our leading scorer. But if she wasn’t able to get it, that’s fine. If they were open, we wanted them to take the open shot. We just didn’t want to force anything. I just told them to stay calm, play for each other and play as one.”
In the third, the scoring slowed.
Boyd got a 3 to fall with 5:10 left, trimming the deficit to 30-29, before Jordan scored at the 3:39 mark, putting Hillsboro ahead 31-30. That advantage was short-lived, though, as Henson rolled another triple to put the Tigers back in front at 33-31.
That 3-ball was the start of a quarter-ending 6-0 run, allowing McClain to seize a 36-31 advantage heading to the fourth.
As the final eight minutes started, Hillsboro countered with a 7-0 run, going ahead 38-36 — thanks to buckets from Davis and Boyd. Brie Cummins then picked a perfect time for her first 3 of the night, making it 39-38, before Boyd answered on the other end to make it 40-39.
The Indians were able to hold that lead until under a minute left in the game.
With Hillsboro on top 49-47, Wright beat two defenders to the bucket and scored to force a 49-49 tie. The Tigers then got a stop on the defensive end and, while grabbing the rebound, Katie Cook was fouled and went to the charity stripe.
The senior guard hadn’t scored all day. But she proceeded to sink both freebies with 27.5 seconds left — producing the night’s eventual final. Hillsboro had one last gasp on the offensive end but couldn’t get a good look at the basket, allowing McClain to stay unbeaten in FAC play.
“It just goes to show her role and what she does for our team,” Massie said of Cook. “Honestly, if you look at our shots, we’re a terrible free throw shooting team. But we stepped up tonight and made them when we needed to. Those two free throws that Katie hit were important to this win. It helped us battle through adversity and come out on top.”
Pryor led all scorers with 23 points and seven rebounds, Eikenberry added 10 points, and Henson finished with seven points and six assists.
Hillsboro was paced by Boyd with 14 points and six rebounds while Davis played yet another balanced game with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.
While the Indians attempt to get back in the win column on Saturday at North Adams, McClain has a sizable break. The Tigers won’t return to the hardwood until Jan. 8 when they host Logan Elm.
“We’re still undefeated in the FAC and that means we’re going to have a target on our back,” Massie said. “That’s not just in the FAC, but with every game we play. We have some tough games coming up, starting on Jan. 8. Logan Elm is a great team. So we’re going to try and get better over the break and try to stay healthy. The break may take some momentum away but if we come in each day and get better, I’m hoping we’ll have a successful second half of the year.”
BOX SCORE
McClain: 16-12-8-15 — 51
Hillsboro: 16-10–5-18 — 49
McClain: 18-41 FG, 7-13 FT, 7-15 3pt., 21 rebounds (Eikenberry 7, Wright 7), 20 turnovers, 12 assists (Henson 6). Scoring: Pryor 23, Eikenberry 10, Henson 7, Wright 6, Cummins 3, Cook 2.
Hillsboro: 19-44 FG, 7-10 FT, 4-12 3pt., 21 rebounds (Davis 6, Boyd 6), 22 turnovers, 10 assists (Davis 5). Scoring: Boyd 14, Davis 10, Miles 8, Bledsoe 8, Jordan 5, Ames 4.
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