Central Oregonian

Storm slips past Cowgirls

Summit runs out to big lead then holds on to take narrow win at Crook County

LON AUSTIN/CENTRAL OREGONIAN

Kimmer Severance goes to the basket for two of her team-high 17 points in the Cowgirls loss to the Summit Storm on Friday.

Lon Austin

January 21, 2013

The Summit Storm ran out to an early 16-5 lead, then survived a second-half rally to take a 56-54 Intermountain Hybrid Basketball victory over the Crook County Cowgirls.

Playing in front of the home crowd, the Cowgirls got off to a slow start, missing layups and wide open jump shots for much of the first quarter.

“There were some shots that we didn’t hit and we had some early turnovers,” said Crook County head coach Dave Johnson following the game. “So that was probably the difference.”

Trailing by 11 points going into the second quarter, the Cowgirls finally found their shooting touch. Crook County outscored Summit 13-10 in the second quarter, but still trailed 26-18 at halftime.

“We challenged the team at halftime,” Johnson said. “We said this is what needs to happen. We need to cut down the turnovers, play better man-to-man defense, challenge their shooters, and block out on the weak side. And we did all those things in the second half.”

Crook County slowly clawed their way back into the contest. The Cowgirls outscored the Storm 16-11 in the third period to close to within three points heading into the fourth quarter.

When Jessie Maley-Loper hit the first shot of the fourth quarter, the Cowgirls were within a point at 36-37. However, Loper fouled out moments later. Still, the Cowgirls were able to tie the contest moments later on a Kimmer Severance three-point play.

The Cowgirls took their only lead of the contest with a Michaeline Milott jump shot with just over three minutes left in the contest.

The lead was short-lived as the Storm scored seven consecutive points to regain control of the contest. Trailing 52-48 with less than a minute left in the game, the Cowgirls made a late run. First, Malott was fouled driving to the basket. She made her first foul shot to pull the Cowgirls to within three points. Malott missed her second shot, but a hustling Kimmer Severance was able to get the offensive rebound and score to bring Crook County to within a point.

The Storm answered with a basket of their own. When Crook County missed their next shot, the Cowgirls were forced to foul and Summit’s Raja Char sank a pair of free throws to give the Storm a 56-51 lead.

Nevertheless, the Cowgirls were not done fighting. Severance made a three-point play with 13.9 seconds remaining as the Cowgirls closed to within a basket. Crook County had one final opportunity as they were able to regain possession of the ball with two seconds left in the game. However, Crook County was unable to get a shot off as Summit held on for the victory.

Severance led the Cowgirls in scoring with 17 points, while Malott finished with nine. Emily Benton came off the bench to score eight points, while Maley-Loper and Jena Ovens each scored seven.

The Storm was led by Sarah Heinly with 17 points. Char added 15, most in the fourth quarter, while Shannon Patterson was also in double-figures with 13.

“The girls fought back and didn’t quit,” Johnson said. “They kept working and at the end, we were in position to win the ballgame, so that was a tough one to lose.”

The Cowgirls (6-7) are back in action tonight when they host the Mountain View Cougars in a 7 p.m. game.

Friday, Jan. 18

Summit 56, Crook County 54

at Crook County

Summit (56) — Sarah Heinly 17, Char 15, Patterson 13, Trejo 6, Edwards 3, Harter 2, Nichols, Hasenoehrl, Powers. Totals 18 14-20 56.

Crook County (54) — Kimmer Severance 17, Malott 9, Benton 8, Maley-Loper 7, Ovens 7, Apperson 3, Lindburg 2, Smith 1. Totals 19 14-25 54.

Summit 16 10 11 19 — 56

Crook County 5 13 16 20 — 54

Three-point goals — Summit: Heinly 3, Patterson 2, Trejo; Crook County: Apperson, Ovens.