February 6, 2023 at 2:55 p.m.
Game Report: Lady Jets Hustle but Cannot Overcome Lady Raiders
We had earned the right to play in the final game by defeating Milan, and they had earned that right by defeating North Decatur and Switzerland County.
Coach McNeil of the Lady Raiders elected to play a 3-2 zone while Coach Shipp elected to play a 2-3 zone. The decisions were likely due to Coach McNew being concerned about our outside shooting and Coach Shipp being concerned about their inside game.
The first quarter found both teams struggling from the field with South Ripley leading 7-6 at the end. We held the ball in the final seconds hoping to take the lead but did not after a turnover. Scoring for both teams picked up a little in the second quarter, and we even took the lead 11-9 on a three-point shot. However, we were losing by six points, 21-15, as the quarter came to a close even though we were only down two points late in the quarter, 17-15.
Our fans were hoping to have a good start to the second half, and I am sure Coach Shipp stressed that point to his team. We did score the first point on a free throw, but it would be minutes later when we would make our first basket. They outscored us by five points to take a ten-point lead, 28-18. Both teams had a better scoring fourth quarter, but we could not overcome the ten-point deficit while getting as close as 36-31 on another three-point shot before falling by the final score of 42-31. A Hauser press with just over three minutes remaining did not deter South Ripley much.
In retrospect, much can be said for Hauser's teamwork and hustle. It is not easy to rebound against a taller team, in particular when the ball seems to take unusual bounces. South Ripley decisively won the rebounding battle and consequently got more opportunities from close range. (I know Kenze Bostic, trying from the sidelines to cheer on her teammates, could have helped in that area. We wish Kenze the very best in her recovery from foot surgery.) When fouled, the Lady Raiders seldom missed free throws. The Lady Jets hit their free throws too but did not have as many chances. The Raiders also had the turnover advantage.
The final game of the season is particularly difficult for the seniors. We wish to thank Adrianna Musillami, Kyleigh Parrott, and Jaden Sims for all their contributions to the program, helping the team earn second in the Mid-Hoosier Conference with a 4-2 record, the best record in several years. The next year for Hauser looks quite promising.
