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Beecher Beats Manteno

Beecher beats Manteno

Dennis Bowling  /  February 16, 2012  /  Views: 49  /   No Comments

When Beecher senior Amari Griffin struggled with her jump shot, the Ladycats' junior Ashley Carroll was busy picking up rebounds and scoring points on February 7.

The 5-foot-9 Carroll registered 19 points and had 10 rebounds as the Ladycats beat Manteno 48-33 in the quarterfinal round of the Class 2A Beecher regional tournament.

Strongly backing up Carroll was the 5-foot-11 Griffin with 19 points, four blocks and 10 rebounds.

"Ashley really works hard around the basket," said Ladycat coach Mike Meyer. "She set the tone with her physical play. This was one of her top games of the year. She kept us in the game in the first half. "

"I was getting the rebounds and putting the ball in the basket," said Carroll. "It is about time. This was one of my better performances. I am hoping to finish the season strong."

Manteno (5-20) had a 10-6 first stanza lead on a basket by Haylee Beck (13 points). Then, Carroll went to work. She grabbed a rebound and fought off a pair of Panther defenders, and put the ball in the basket cutting the Manteno advantage to 10-8. With 1:39 to go in the first period, Griffin made a basket to tie the score at 10-10. Carroll tried to get a rebound but was fouled. She made a pair of free throws for a 12-10 Beecher lead. Carroll made another rebound basket for a 14-10 Ladycat advantage at the end of one period.

In the second quarter, Griffin got her game going. She made a pair of baskets and added a free throw. Carroll added a rebound basket and a pair of free throws. The Ladycats Danielle Snuckel (4 points) and Rachel Lee each made buckets to help outscore Manteno by a 14-2 mark to own a commanding 27-12 halftime lead.

"Amari Griffin played a much better second half," said Meyer. "She really set the tone by playing tough defense."

"I really worked hard to get open down low," said Griffin. "Defensively, I had to get used to their offense. That helps me to get some blocked shots. Ashley also worked hard. She battled to score and rebound."

Ladycat guard Paige Wehling had five steals and six assists.

"I just love Ashley's effort," she said. "She really worked hard and had a great game. She has been working on her moves in practice. We all had a slow start. Once we got going we were fine."

Beecher outscored Manteno by a 12-10 count for a 40-22 lead at the close of the third quarter.

Manteno coach Zach Dowdy summarized his young team's performance.

"We played a really good first quarter," he said. "I was very proud of my team's play. We just did not box out."

The Panthers' players that saw a lot of action in the loss to Beecher, that are returning for next season include guard Morgan Murray, forward Molly Toepper, center Kaylyn Engleking, guard Natalie Hatalla, center Jaylan Dunn, guard Jenna Hoffman and guard Danielle Harvick.

Look for Manteno to be a very competitive team next season.

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