By ISAAC DEER
TopSports.news
Learning how to win the right way and developing team chemistry for the Shawnee Heights Lady Thunderbirds has become noticeable throughout the United Kansas Conference.
Shawnee Heights is now rolling with its third straight win after a 48-40 home win over Basehor-Linwood.
Breezy Canady
Taylor Rottinghaus
Emari Doby
According to Shawnee Heights coach Bob Wells, Tuesday night's victory over Basehor-Linwood was the program's first-ever win over the Bobcats since Basehor-Linwood and Shawnee Heights have been a part of the same conference.
"I don't think we've beaten Basehor since the league's started," Wells said. "This is truly a big win for us. Our team really stepped in, did their part and helped out. I thought the girls played really well tonight."
The potential for Shawnee Heights' 2022-2023 campaign is high.
Three of its stars contributed in a big way to Tuesday night's conference victory as Breezy Canady, Taylor Rottinghaus and Emari Doby combined for 39 of the Lady Thunderbirds' 48 total points scored.
The trio has been off to a hot start to kick off the season, and they've had quite the impact on Heights' three-game win streak.
"The girls are so competitive in practice, and I think it's translating," Wells said. "The girls that aren't getting a lot of minutes are pushing the girls that are getting a lot of minutes. I think that competition is making everybody better."
The Lady Thunderbirds started the night strong. Shawnee Heights immediately got over-the-top production from Canady and Doby, helping them get off to a fast lead. Shawnee Heights' defensive efforts were imposing as Basehor-Linwood had difficulty knocking in 3-point shots and shooting inside the perimeter.
Doby boosted the Lady Thunderbirds with offensive and defensive efforts. Doby had six points, four rebounds and two steals to close out the first quarter.
Like the opening quarter, Shawnee Heights got a fast start in the second period thanks to some aggressive scoring from Rottinghaus. Rottinghaus was able to open herself up in passing lanes and found an open teammate more often than not.
As a team, Shawnee Heights did a stellar job in the first half with rebounding, good shot selection and forcing turnovers.
Basehor-Linwood had a much cleaner second half. Shawnee Heights defended well, but the Lady Bobcats had a much easier time getting to the paint. However, Basehor-Linwood was pesky, and the Lady Bobcats forced Shawnee Heights to take tough, forced shots on the defensive front.
Shawnee Heights stayed consistent with its offense and held on to a slim lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Basehor-Linwood opened up the quarter firing. It was a surprise to the Shawnee Heights defense, and the Lady Thunderbirds called a critical timeout.
Shawnee Heights didn't lose its composure in the fourth quarter when Basehor-Linwood gained its first lead at the 6:14 mark of the fourth quarter. Wells praised the team for learning to play at a high level and not letting Basehor-Linwood's lead get out of hand.
Shawnee Heights would get on a 9-2 run into the fourth quarter, and the Shawnee Heights defense only allowed an excellent Basehor-Linwood offense to score only seven points in the fourth quarter.
"We are trying to teach the girls how to win and close out close games," Wells said. "We had De Soto in that situation at the beginning of the year, and De Soto closed us out. In our timeout, we talked about being tough, coming to the ball and being strong with the ball. I think the timeout helped."
Canady led Shawnee Heights with 16 points, Rottinghaus had 12, and Doby came up just short of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Shawnee Heights (3-1, 3-1) will hit the road for a United Kansas Conference matchup against Leavenworth this Friday.
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS GIRLS 48, BASEHOR-LINWOOD 40.
Basehor-Linwood 11 10 12 7 – 40
Shawnee Heights 14 12 11 11 – 48
Shawnee Heights (3-1, 3-1) – Rottinghaus 5 1-3 12, Showalter 2 0-0 5, Doby 4 2-2 11, Canady 5 5-9 16, Fleischer 1 0-0 2, Rantz 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 8-14 48.
Basehor-Linwood (3-2, 1-1) – Christopher 1 0-0 2, Johnson 2 4-6 8, Fisher 1 0-0 3, Greer 4 0-0 9, Cruse 2 1-2 6, Baker 3 6-9 12.
3-point goals – Shawnee Heights 4 (Rottinghaus, Showalter, Doby, Canady), Basehor-Linwood 3 (Fisher, Greer, Cruse). Total fouls – Shawnee Heights 13, Basehor-Linwood 15. Fouled out – none. Technical fouls – none.
