8/7/2019 Ladycats vs. All Saints

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Q Ladycats stayundefeated at home withwin against All Saints;Record 6-1 as of Mondaynight

By Dominic GenettiThe Community News

When the season started, AledoLadycats head coach Rusty Johnsonsaid the goal for his players is to getin a rhythm and score 65 points ormore a game.

After Monday nights win over AllSaints, its clear that the Ladycats areon their way to the coachs expecta-

tions.Coming off a second-place finish

in a tournament at Northwest ISD, Aledo came back to their own court where they gave their fans a 60-23victory. It was their third straight winat home.

In the Northwest Tournament, Aledo defeated Weatherford 67-39,L.D. Bell 49-42 and Fossil Ridge 44-42 before suffering their first loss ofthe season in the championship gameagainst Liberty Christian, 54-43.

The Ladycats defeated Decaturand Birdville-Richland in the firsttwo games of the season.

Aledo wasted no time in control-ling the contest. In the first quarteralone, the Ladycats scored a total of 21points. Led by junior Hannah Loftinand sophomore Mallory Powell, theteam displayed no offensive fears bymaking four three-point field goals,two each to be exact.

Loftin led the night in three-pointers, sinking four. The 56 guard

also finished the night with a total of14 points. Powell capped off her eve-ning with the most points scored. Shefinished the game with a total of 21points; 10 in the first quarter, two in

the second, eight in the third and one(on a free throw) in the fourth.

With a quick man-to-man defense,a tactic Johnson has referred to asa priority to the teams success, theLadycats kept the Saints to only fourpoints in the first quarter; however, afaster All Saints offense gained someground in quarter two.

The Saints scored 16 points inthe second quarter and held Aledo to14, but it was the Ladycats powerfulfirst quarter, that also came at theassistance of Alanna Martin, Megan

Wood and Shelby Stockard, that gavethe orange and black the advantageat halftime.

Sophomore Bronte Frank accu-

mulated four points in the secondquarter and Loftin led the team withfive points before the buzzer. Points atthe free throw line gave the Ladycatssome insurance via Shelby Stockardand Caileen Tallant.

Aledo led All Saints 35-20 at half-time.

But its clear something was saidto the Ladycats at halftime. Whenthey hit the court for the start ofthe second half, the Ladycats cameout shooting and kept the Saints to

only two points in the third quarteralone. Aledo gathered 12 points inthe quarter.

With two two-point field goalsand two free throws, Stockard gavethe Ladycats four points while Powellput a total of eight points on the

board with two three-point field goalsand two two-point field goals.

The Ladycats scored 13 points inthe fourth quarter and All Saintsracked up 11. Juniors LaurenODoherty and Kaylee Books scored a

combined seven points for Aledo.We still have to execute, Johnson

said after the game. A lot of the girlsgot in the game. Were going to pressthe moment that ball goes up until

THEYGOTGAME

RANDY KECK/THE COMMUNITY NEWS

Aledo junior Alanna Martin (No.3) goes for a layup in the basketball game

against All Saints Nov. 22. Martin scored two points in the game which helpedlead the Ladycats to their third straight home victory.

the end, but we dont run a full-courtpress when were up 20 points. Imake sure everyone gets to play.

With the win, Aledo is now rankedsixth in the state. The Ladycats start-ed the season ranked 13th.

We relish thatwe embrace that,Johnson said. The state rankings areonly reflections of what we expectfrom ourselves.

Mittie out with hand injury

Someone that didnt hit the court with the Ladycats was senior LoganMittie. The team points leader report-edly suffered a hand injury in theNorthwest ISD tournament againstL.D. Bell and did not play against AllSaints pending an MRI.

The extent of the injury isunknown.

Johnson said the unexpected lossof Mittie in the last two games of lastseason made it very difficult for therest of the team to adapt. This year,

however, our girls are ready to playIm happy with the girls who havestepped into the role of leadership.

Obviously, still, wed like to haveLogan back, the head coach said.

RANDY KECK/THE COMMUNITY NEWS

Sopohomore Mallory Powell drives tothe basket against All Saints Mondaynight. She finished the night with 21

points.