ADAMS TOWNSHIP – Clinton-Massie started out a bit slow against South Central Ohio League foe Hillsboro Wednesday, but with a little spark lit by Falcons head coach Tim McGraw and a lot of Faith, CM pulled away from the Indians for a 47-32 victory.
“I thought we started the game very lethargic. We called a timeout and told them ‘Look, this is not the effort you’ve given the last five games.’ We just kind of lit into them a little bit,” McGraw said. “Madilyn Newton gave us a spark and Faith (Cottrell) came off the bench and hit some big shots for us and I think that got us going a little bit.”
Newton took a steal the distance to give Massie (4-2, 1-1) its first lead of the game, 11-10, early in the second quarter. Cottrell buried two of her five threes to put Massie up 14-12 and 18-15; the second bomb gave Massie the lead for good. Cottrell also nailed one from behind the arc just before the first half buzzer.
The Falcons scored the last eight points of the second quarter and 10 of the first 12 of the third quarter to expand their lead to 33-17.
“I’m really pleased with my kids’ effort and I know that’s usually what a losing coach says, but my kids have been playing with seven varsity players and this is our third game in five days. We’re doing it with seven healthy kids. They’re giving me everything they have,” Hillsboro head coach J.R. Moberly said. “Shots don’t fall when your legs are tired. We haven’t shot the ball well for a couple days, but they keep battling and trying. I can’t say enough about the effort of those seven kids right now.”
The Indians (1-3, 1-1) pulled within single digits, 33-24, entering the final period. But the Falcons pulled away with an 8-2 spurt to start the fourth quarter. Cottrell, who led all scorers with 15, capped the flurry with another three.
Kaley Burns led Hillsboro with nine points.
SUMMARY
December 7, 2016
@Lebanon Road gym
Clinton-Massie 47 Hillsboro 32
H 10.05.09.08…..32
C 09.14.10.14…..47
(32) HILLSBORO (fg-ft-tp) Sullivan 2-0-4, Bobbitt 0-2-2, Marsh 2-2-7, Moberley 1-0-2, Kal. Burns 4-1-9, Kel. Burns 1-0-3, Grover 2-0-5. Total 12-5-32. 3-point goals: 3 (Kel. Burns, Mash, Grover). FTM-FTA 5-9, 56 percent.
(47) CLINTON-MASSIE (fg-ft-tp) Ireland 1-3-5, Theetge 1-2-4, Rose 2-2-6, Newton 4-1-9, Myers 1-0-2, Cottrell 5-0-15, Conley 1-0-2, Hurlburt 0-0-0, Leary 1-2-4. Total 16-10-47. 3-point goals: 5 (Cottrell 5). FTM-FTA 10-18, 56 percent.
FIELD GOALS: H 12-55; CM 16-50 (Cottrell 5-10 Newton 4-10)
3 PT FIELD GOALS: H 3-8; CM 5-14 (Cottrell 5-8)
FREE THROWS: H 5-9; CM 10-18 (Ireland 3-4 Theetge 2-3 Rose 2-2)
REBOUNDS: H-27; CM-37 (Cottrell 6 Newton 6 Leary 6 Myers 5 Theetge 5)
ASSISTS: CM-11 (Ireland 9)
STEALS: H-1; CM-8 (Newton 5)
BLOCKED SHOTS: H-0; CM-0
TAKE CHARGE: CM-0
TURNOVERS: H-23; CM-20