Lady Cats runner-up at Linn County tourney

By RICHARD HETTINGER
Tuesday night, December 8th, was the first round of the Round Robin Tournament in Pleasanton, KS as the Lady Cats prepare for battle with the Lady Jay Hawks from Mound City, KS.
The first quarter and first few minutes of the second quarter were rather uneventful for the local ladies as they have 8 fouls and 7 points with 5:51 left in the second quarter. Following, is how that came about; pass from Freeman to Hocker for 2, Kaufman fouled and makes 2 free throws, Freeman to Kendrick for 2 but fouls begin to pile up against Drexel and the Jay Hawk Ladies are converting. With 2:53 left in the first the score was tied at 6.The Lady Cats came alive somewhat as Vlieger blocked a shot and got the steal which led to a pass from Shipley to Gunnels for 2, Freeman and Shipley each converted a lay up and Vlieger a jumper from 10 feet. Next Freeman steals a Jayhawk pass and scores a lay up making the first half Drexel 19, JayHawk Linn 22.
The Lady Cats went on one of their scoring lulls and there was only 2:56 left in the third quarter before they scored their first basket of the second half. Hocker gets 2 with a pass from Gunnels, Kaufman gets a steal, a rebound and a put back for 2 but the Local Ladies were outscored in the 3rd by 11 and the lead had grown to 23-38 Lady JayHawks.
The fourth quarter was spent trying to overcome that lead. Kaufman made a nice drive for 2, Vlieger draws a foul with nice move, Kaufman a score from 15 feet, Vlieger gets rebound, fouled and converts both frees, but the Lady Cats still trail by 16 with 2:47 left in the game. Gunnels rebounds and scores and Sanders makes 2 of 2 free throws. Gunnels again gets rebound and put back for 2 bringing the final score to Drexel 36, Jay Hawk Linn 46.
Stats: Leaders in scoring; Kaufman 8, Vlieger 7 (with 5 of 6 from the line), Gunnels 6 and Freeman 5. Rebounding leaders; Vlieger 8, Gunnels 6, Freeman 5 and Shipley with 4. Freeman had 4 assists and Shipley 2. Kaufman and Sanders were both 2 for 2 from the line. As a team the free throw percentage was very good converting 10 of 13 for 77%. Field goals were 13 of 43 for 30%.
The Lady Cats came on strong against the Lady Blue Jays of Pleasanton. The first 10 points are scored by 5 different girls. Hocker, Gunnels, Sanders and Vlieger all scored a two pointer while Freeman also scored a lay up on a break away and the score was quickly Drexel 10 and Pleasanton 2 with 3:16 left in the first. Then Freeman and Shipley each came up with a steal while Gunnels put back a carom for 2 more. Shipley converted 1 of 2 frees and Vlieger came up with yet another steal for the team. Jesi puts in a shot from 5 feet and Shipley makes another free throw making the score Lady Cats 18 and Lady Blue Jays 6 after one quarter.
The second quarter was much the same as Kaufman makes a two and a three, Shipley a turn around in the lane for 2 and Hocker and Kaufman are combining for 3 points from the free throw line. At the half, Drexel is leading Pleasanton by 13.
The second half continued to be dominated by the Lady Cats. Gunnels gets a couple put backs from under the basket along with one from Vlieger, and Kaufman. Sanders hits a three and coach Lane is able to substitute freely the entire game as the Lady Blue Jays were no match. Final score Drexel 44, Pleasanton 31.
Stats: Leading scorer; Gunnels 15, Kaufman 8, Hocker 6 and Sanders with 5. The girls shot 44% from the line and Hocker contributed a nice 4 of 5 free throws. Vlieger led in....
Read the complete story in the December 17th edition.
PHOTO: Tara Freeman puts up a nice block against Lady Jay Hawk Taylor Dawson as she drives toward the basket. Photo by Richard Hettinger