Lady Cats entertain Lady Winds

By RICHARD HETTINGER
In WEMO Tournament play our Lady Cats took on the Lady Winds of Archie. Drexel came out fired up and ready. Kendrick swished a 3 and Hotsenpiller made a nice steal which led to Gunnel’s turn around bank shot for 2 and the Cats had a 5-0 lead. This turned out to be one of those nights when the referees didn’t let the Lady Cats fair very well in the foul department. Archie made 4 free throws before another steal by the Cats. This time it came from Kaufman. With a few careless passes and excessive fouls being called against the locals, Archie soon led by the score of 6-14. Another three by Kendrick kept Drexel in the game but 5 more free throws gave Archie a 9-19 lead after the first quarter.
Jacoby makes a two, Kendrick and Sanders a steal while Vlieger is rebounding and scoring two. Sanders hits a three and another two with a nice drive to basket and good pass from Gunnels. Half time score Cats 18, Winds 23.
Freeman scores a lay-up and Kendrick hits her third trey, then Kaufman makes a nice drive pulls up at the 8 feet mark, drills a two and later shoots from the three point line but was on the line for two more. Drexel 27, Archie 26 at 1:44 of the third quarter. Archie makes another free. Vlieger gets nice defensive rebound and outlet pass, the lay up is missed but Sanders hustles for nice rebound and put back for 2. With 30 seconds left in third it’s Cats 29, Winds 27. Vlieger fights for 2 offensive rebounds and is fouled in the process making one of two. After three, Drexel has overcome the first quarter 10 point deficit and regained the lead at 30-28.
Vlieger draws a shooting foul and makes 1 of 2 but Archie continues to make free throws and ties the score at 31. The Lady Cats had a scoring lull and only scored one in over 3 minutes. The whistles for fouls constantly ring out and Drexel already has committed 8 in the second half with 5:25 remaining in the game. Kendrick makes a nice turn around two from 6 feet but an errant inbounds pass later gives Archie an easy 2. The score is again tied at 33 with 3:49 left. Another errant inbounds pass under the opponent’s goal but this time the Lady Wind missed. Drexel returns the favor by missing an easy lay up and Archie takes the ball the length of the court for a tie breaker making the score Cats 33, Winds 35 with 2:53 left. The Lady Cats continue to have their problems at the line and Archie takes a 3 point lead with 1:21 remaining. Vlieger battles hard for an offensive glass, is fouled and makes 1. With a 2 point deficit, the Lady Cats are forced to foul and Archie is in the bonus. They miss both free throws. At the offensive board, Vlieger gets a rebound and puts up a two pointer from 5 feet. It’s tied again at 37 and only 10 ticks left on the clock but Archie has the ball and Drexel is..
Read the complete story in the December 10th edition.
PHOTO: Jessi Gunnels driving baseline against Kate Sanders of Archie in WEMO Tournament.