Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
MINFORD — Minford’s brand of basketball might not always be pretty. But the Falcons have the ability to adjust to an opponent’s style and figure it out.
On Monday, their philosophy worked for the 16th time this season.
Despite losing a double-digit lead in the second half, the Falcons were as physical as possible down the stretch and relied on their seniors to pull out a 62-55 victory over Federal Hocking in non-conference action.
“Very few teams, if any, have played as much team basketball as we have in these last four years,” Minford coach Chuck Miller said. “These girls have been playing together their whole lives, and for all three years since I became the varsity coach. There are seven seniors on this team and this is the toughest, yet most complete game that we’ve played this year. This gives us some really good momentum heading into the tournament.”
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
Part of Minford’s advantage all year has been having stout interior play from Lindsee Williams and Marlee Pendleton.
It’s allowed the Falcons (16-6) to control the pace and let everyone get shots off without fear, knowing the duo would likely secure any chance at an offensive rebound.
That means second chance opportunities, and the Williams and Pendleton connected on a number of those on Monday, combining for 33 points and 19 rebounds on the night — 18 and nine for Pendleton and 15 and 10 for Williams.
“We’ve been playing together on varsity since freshman year. We’ve always been the two in the paint, so all we’ve done is work together over these last four years,” Pendleton said. “We both rely on each other, she looks for me and I look for her any time the ball is in one of our hands.”
The rebounding advantage was clear from the opening tip. The Falcons won the battle on the glass by an 11-2 margin in the opening eight minutes.
However, Federal Hocking (15-7) came to compete.
While Williams, Pendleton and Kerigan Davis were leading the charge for Minford, Rorie Tabler and McKaylan Nelson each splashed a triple for the Lancers to keep pace.
Tied at 12-12, Williams and Lexi Conkel each scored to put the Falcons ahead 16-12 after the first quarter.
They took that mini run to end the first, and put everything into high gear to begin the second. Behind Conkel, Davis, Pendleton and Williams, the Falcons opened the frame on a 14-2 run while also forcing five FH turnovers.
It blew the game open at 30-14.
The Lancers finally saw some shots fall, only to be matched on the other end as Minford took a 36-22 lead into the break.
“Our defense was playing great and the girls made them truly work for every bucket they got,” Miller said. “We’re a team of athletes who are long, physical and scrappy with the capability to run anyone at a defender. It also helps that our rebounding is exceptional. We’ve been knocking down some shots recently, and that’s always a good sign at this time of the year.”
FH’s Brenlee Cottrill decided enough was enough, and opened the third with seven straight points to cut the deficit to 40-29.
Foul trouble then hit the Falcons and the Lancers took advantage. Nelson buried another triple before Cottrill, Takira Walker and Jaylee Orsborne scored inside to cut the lead to 48-41 entering the fourth.
“Fed Hocking is a really good team. They play an uptempo style of basketball that few teams can really keep up with,” Miller said. “And look at their losses … two to Waterford, one to Belpre, Harvest Prep and Marietta. Those are all top-tier teams, so they were going to fight back and make it a game. They gave us a battle.”
Cottrill’s reign of terror wasn’t finished as she teamed up with Tabler for an 8-2 run. Nelson then canned her third 3 of the game to put the Lancers ahead for the first time at 52-50.
But there was no panic for the experienced Falcon roster.
Later tied at 55-55, senior Maggie Risner got a bucket and a foul shot to fall, putting Minford back in front. She followed that up with two more freebies before Davis put the finishing touches with two of her own, allowing Minford to close out the win.
“Maggie is so hard on herself, and I get on her about that. But I kept telling her that she’s the most athletic player on the court and her strides are so long,” Miller said. “She took over that game in the closing moments and that’s what you expect as a coach from your seniors.”
After Pendleton and Williams, Davis finished the night with 10 points. Cottrill had 18 points for the Lancers and Nelson added four 3’s to the tune of 12 points.
Minford now shifts its focus towards the postseason. The Falcons have earned a No. 3 seed and will host Meigs in Thursday’s first round action.
Federal Hocking earned the top seed in Division VI, and will host the winner of Valley and Lynchburg-Clay on Monday.
“If we play the way we did tonight, and can stay out of foul trouble, these girls can do something really special,” Miller said. “2018 was the last district title, and playing like we did on both sides of the ball, I believe we can make a run to the regional final.”
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