Ladybugs end season with area loss to Millwood, 50-34

 

Trey Lunn

Acacia Charles makes her jumpshot in the paint giving the Ladybugs the lead going into the second quarter.

Despite some early season losses, the Alva Ladybugs came back to make a good showing in the playoffs. The Ladybugs' playoff path ended Thursday night against a tough Millwood team, 50-34.

Alva had a strong defensive effort in the first period, staying with the 11th ranked Lady Falcons and leading by one point 7-6 as the quarter ended. Payton Jones hit a trey and a basket for five, and Acacia Charles added two points for Alva.

By the second quarter, Millwood was getting the range on the Alva defense, and the Ladybugs weren't able to get shots to fall. Millwood shut out Alva during that period and led 13-7 going into halftime. The Ladybugs had 15 turnovers in the first half and lagged on offensive rebounds. The ball just wouldn't go through the hoop with Alva making only 17 percent of their shots.

In the third period, Alva fought hard but just couldn't score on their tries. The Falcons made two baskets before Jones was able to hit one free throw after the first rimmed out. Millwood added five more points, with one basket following an Alva turnover. Then Stephanie Spellman hit back-to-back three-pointers to raise Ladybug hopes.

Millwood led 24-14 when Charles took a hard fall under the basket as she tried to block a shot. She was out for the rest of the game with unknown injuries. Jones made a basket but Millwood answered with five points. Hallie Durkee went to the free throw line but neither attempt would fall, and Millwood led 29-16 at the end of the third quarter.

There was still hope for the Ladybugs who continued to fight for the ball. Chloe Durkee made one of two free throw attempts. Millwood sank seven points while Jones made two for Alva. Millwood led 36-19 when Hallie Durkee sank a three-pointer. Millwood added two, but Spellman made another trey.

The Falcons added another basket, but Brooke Perez answered with two points for Alva. After another Millwood basket, Chloe Durkee hit at trey. Another Millwood basket was followed by a Jones basket. The score was now 44-32 in Millwood's favor. Hallie Durkee scored two but Millwood's Pickett ran the length of the floor after a steal, adding another Millwood basket.

Trey Lunn

Ladybug Payton Jones finishes the night with 12 points in a loss to Millwood High School.

With a minute to go, Millwood controlled the ball. The Ladybugs blocked some attempts with fouls but started bringing in the bench in the final seconds. Williams tried a last ditch basket for Millwood but it didn't fall. Kramer got the offensive rebound but couldn't make it either. At the final buzzer, Millwood led 50-34.

The Alva Ladybugs end their season with a 14-14 record. Millwood is 20-6 for the season and will continue in the area playoffs this (Friday) afternoon against Chisholm.

The Ladybugs had an exceptional defensive effort, but the ball just wouldn't fall for Alva. As an example, Alva was only four of 12 attempts from the free throw line.

Jones led the Alva scoring with 12 followed by Spellman with 9. Hallie Durkee had five, Chloe Durkee four, Charles two and Perez two.

Millwood scoring was led by Kramer with 18, Pickett with 15, Grambling seven, Williams six, Davison two and Brown two.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Arc
Newsgram

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024