By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
EMPORIA – Sluggish starts in back-to-back days get the best of Hayden on Friday night at the Paul Terry Classic, as the Lady Wildcats took a 52-27 loss to Class 5A No. 5-ranked Emporia.
It wasn't a memorable day for Hayden by any means.
Hayden junior Lauren Sandstrom (5) hits a free throw in Friday's 52-27 loss to Emporia in the Paul Terry Classic. [Photo by Isaac Deer/TSN]
While the Lady Wildcats played better toward the end of the game, single-digit team scoring in all four quarters played a significant role in losing against an imposing Emporia team.
"For the second game in a row, we came out seemingly not ready to play," Hayden coach Carvel Reynoldson said. "In these three-day in-season tournaments, if you get exposed, it's hard to fix those things from night to night. We need to get tougher on defense."
Hayden couldn't catch a break. The Lady Wildcats shot 27 percent from the field, 0-11 from 3-point range and were out-rebounded, 35-20.
Emporia senior Rebecca Snyder had a sensational night for the Lady Spartans. Snyder had 26 points, 12 rebounds, went 7 of 7 from the free throw line, had two blocks and three steals.
"Rebecca is a great player," Reynoldson said. "She had 19 points in the first half against us. But, on our part, that's not enough ball pressure and backside help. That's not just on the player guarding her; that's everyone. It seemed like every time she got an offensive rebound; she got a bucket. She's tall, athletic, has nice post moves and a soft touch."
In the first quarter, Emporia jumped out to an 8-2 start. The height of Snyder posed to be an issue for Hayden. The 6-foot senior had 8 points in the quarter, including hitting all four shots from the free throw line. The only way to stop Snyder was to foul her, but her consistency from the line was a problem for the Lady Wildcats.
Following a slow start in the first quarter, things didn't get much better for Hayden in the second quarter. Emporia jumped out to a quick 9-2 start. The Lady Wildcats' shots inside and out weren't falling, and Emporia's were falling.
Emporia extended its 9-2 run to a 15-2 run with just a few minutes to go in the second quarter. Hayden took a much-needed timeout, and that allowed them to regroup. Sophomore Brylee Meier scored six straight buckets for Hayden and only allowed Emporia one more converted shot before the halftime break.
What was the main issue for Hayden in the first half? Rebecca Snyder. Snyder followed up the superb first quarter in a loud way. The center added on 11 points giving Snyder 19 before the halftime break.
Emporia would collect a 33-13 lead at the half. Snyder and Addie Kirmer had a combined 26 points out of the 33 that were on the board. The Lady Spartans were also a perfect 11-11 from the free throw line.
Hayden's defense looked much more improved coming out of the locker room. Emporia had to earn its points the hard way in the third quarter.
As good as the defense was, the offense couldn't pull through, and the game would be all said and done when the fourth quarter started with an impossible deficit to overcome. Emporia would prevail and defeat Hayden, 52-27.
Hayden (1-1) will play in its final game of the Paul Terry Classic on Saturday at 11 a.m. against Wichita-Trinity at White Auditorium.
EMPORIA GIRLS 52, HAYDEN 27
Emporia 16 17 11 8 – 52
Hayden 7 6 8 6 – 27
Emporia (3-0) – Kirmer 2 4-5 9, Bennett 1 0-0 2, Baker 1 0-0 3, Shively 2 2-2 6, Snyder 9 7-7 26, Dewitt 1 1-2 4, Hamilton 0 2-2 2. Totals: 16 16-18 52.
Hayden (1-1) – Sandstrom 3 2-2 8, Fulton 0 1-4 1, Cruz 0 2-2 2, Schmidt 1 0-0 2, Meier 5 2-2 12, Greco 1 0-0 2. Totals: 10-37 7-11 27.
3-point goals – Emporia 4 (Kirmer, Baker, DeWitt, Snyder), Hayden 0. Rebounds: Emporia 35, Hayden 20. Steals: Emporia 11, Hayden 8. Blocks: Emporia 2, Hayden 3. Turnovers: Emporia 16, Hayden 19. Assists: Emporia 6, Hayden 1. Total fouls – Emporia 15, Hayden 17. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls – none.
