By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
The inability to convert shots in the second half haunted the Hayden girls basketball team in the Tuesday night, as the Wildcats dropped a home 48-33 Centennial League decision to Emporia.
“I thought we played hard,” Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. “I thought our defensive effort was good. We made (Gracie) Gilpin work hard for her shots.
"I think that we lost to a great player and a great team.”
Both Emporia and Hayden were coming off of mid-season tournaments, with the Lady Spartans, who are ranked No. 3 in Class 5A by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, winning the Glaciers Edge Invitational and the Lady Wildcats finishing as the runner ups in the Top Gun Invitational.
Despite coming off of a busy tournament week, Reynoldson didn't believe that his team waa suffering from any fatigue.
“I don’t think that we are fatigued at all,” said Reynoldson. “I think our girls are pretty fresh. They love each other and work for each other. They will always fight.”
Freshman Brylee Meier led Hayden with 12 points in Tuesday's 48-33 Centennial League loss to Emporia. [File photo/TSN]
The amount of converted 3-point shots was the difference for Emporia, with the Spartans nailing eight treys on the night.
“Three’s are something we work on quite a bit,” Emporia coach Carolyn Dorsey said. “I think (the team) is playing well. I think they’re understanding their roles. We have enough kids that are buying in to what we are trying to do here.”
Gilpin created numerous problems for Hayden, mostly beyond the arc, with the Spartan senior standout hitting five 3-point shots and finishing with 19 points.
“Gracie works at shooting all the time,” said Dorsey. “She’s been playing extremely well for us this season and she did a good job tonight.”
Emporia’s Rebecca Snyder had her way against Hayden in the first quarter. The 6-foot junior had eight points and was a problem for Hayden’s defense down on the low block.
Snyder, who would go on to have 10 points in the contest, also recorded 13 rebounds. Tuesday night’s double double was her fourth of the year.
Emporia’s defensive pressure was a big problem for Hayden to overcome in the second half, with the Wildcats scoring just 12 total second-half points.
Brylee Meier continued her solid freshman year season, leading the Wildcats with 12 points Tuesday night while senior Macy Smith added 11 and senior Carly Stuke seven.
Dorsey admitted that this is a tough week for her Spartans, who will face undefeated Topeka High on Friday.
I was nervous,'' Dorsey said. "(Hayden) is a tough place to play. (Reynoldson’s) kids play hard, they’re intelligent, and (Hayden) is a good team. I think (Topeka High) is playing better than they did when they beat us the first time. Kiki (Smith) is hard to guard, (Tae) Thomas is so athletic and (Topeka High) forces a lot of problems.''
Hayden also faces a tough challenge Friday night, playing at No. 3-ranked Washburn Rural.
EMPORIA GIRLS 48, HAYDEN 33
Emporia 16 11 13 8 – 48
Hayden 10 11 7 5 – 33
Emporia High (11-3, 7-3) – Gilpin 7 0-0 19, Snyder 4 2-6 10, Kirmer 2 1-2 6, Shivley 2 0-0 5, Peak 1 1-2 3, Stewart 1 0-0 3, Baker 1 (0-1) 2.
Hayden (7-5, 5-4) – Meier 4 2-4 12, Smith 4 3-5 11, Stuke 1 4-6 7, Greco 0 2-2 2, Grunert 0 1-2 1.
3-point goals – Emporia 8 (Gilpin 5, Kirmer, Shivley, Stewart), Hayden 3 (Meier 2, Stuke). Total fouls – Emporia 16, Hayden 9.
