Trojans beat Superior

Nick Ianniello

Mineral Independent

The Superior Lady Bobcats lost a close game against the Troy Lady Trojans to a home crowd in Superior Saturday evening.

“We played a really tough game,” said Lady Bobcats Head Coach Jeff Schultz.

The game started off neck and neck with the Lady Bobcats finishing out the first quarter just behind the Lady Trojans 10 – 11. Kaila Smith, Jessica Yarnall, Jessica Taylor and Caitlin Bailey each scored during the first quarter.

Schultz said that in two years of basketball this is Taylor’s first game starting for the Lady Bobcats and she did excellent.

“I think she started out really hot. The offense that we were using played less to her but she had a great game,” Schultz said.

The Lady Trojans tried to turn up the heat in the second quarter but with the help of freshman Kaitlyn Koke the lady Bobcats outscored the Lady Trojans 18 – 17 to tie up the game 28 – 28 in the first half.

Koke scored an impressive five baskets for 10 points in the second quarter, giving the Lady Bobcats a solid point base heading into the second half.

Taylor, Shelby Cooper and Tamera Rennick also scored in the second quarter.

The Lady Trojans took their lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Bobcats 16 – 4. Ashley Blaylock and Rennick both scored in the third quarter and the Lady Torjans took a 32 – 44 lead over the Lady Bobcats.

The Lady Bobcats played tough in the fourth quarter, matching the Lady Trojans point for point but failing to make a comeback from their scoring deficit in the third quarter. Both teams scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and the lady Trojans posted a 60 – 44 win for the game.

Schultz said that while the Lady Bobcats played tough early in the game they failed to make some crucial shots in the second half of Saturday night’s match.

“It was turnovers and not making our shots count. We were cracking their defense but we weren’t making them count. We were either missing or getting fouled and missing our free throws,” Schultz said.

Koke led the team in scoring with 12 points while Cooper brought in eight points and taylor brought in six points for the Lady Bobcats.

“Koke, especially for a freshmen, came in and played like a junior or senior,” Schultz said.

He added that Koltan Plouffe had a strong game and she did a lot to help get the ball down the court.

“Koltan had a little mini vacation and had a game off but she came out hard and played well with her driving. She’s got an amazing ability to go to the hoop,” Schultz said.