Clamp down

The Patriots allowed 12 shots to go up in the first half.

They forced 13 turnovers.

The result was a 25-4 lead.

The Jay County High School girls basketball team’s turned defense into offense to quickly put the pressure on the Oak Hill Golden Eagles in a 38-15 victory.

“I'm very pleased with how we came out and started the game,” JCHS coach Sherri McIntire said. “I thought we were focused and ready to go mentally. … I felt like we ran our half court trap really well that night. We definitely had confused them a little bit with our defenses, they weren't really sure what to run against us, which is good.”

The Patriots (2-1), who finished 11th in this week’s Class 3A poll voting, never let the Golden Eagles (2-1) find a rhythm on offense. During a large portion of the first half, guards Erika Newhouse and Landri Hardman swung the ball back and forth without getting it below the free-throw line and or inside the 3-point line.

When they did, multiple Patriot defenders would converge to trap and force a turnover.

Oak Hill launched four threes in the first quarter and another three in the second without being able to put any through the cylinder. The Patriots also forced six turnovers in the first period and seven in the second.

“Because we lost important people on offense from last year, we have to have defense as something that we all work hard for,” senior Sophie Saxman said. “It’s something we all have to do. We just need to keep that up. … And rebounding is something you just have to do.”

Saxman played a big part for the Patriots defense. She led Jay County with six steals and pulled down six boards off the defensive glass. Offensively, she was working the Golden Eagles’ forwards by posting up and drawing fouls.

The only way Oak Hill could score in the first half was off of Hardman getting steals and starting a fast break. Still, the Patriots won the transition game with seven points to four.

In the second half, the Golden Eagles were able to take the air out of the ball by running constant motion and extending the time of their possessions.

Yet, Jay County wasn’t giving them any open shots. The Patriots only gave up three points, two on a fast break for Lydia Trexler and another off of a free throw by Morgan Cates.

Oak Hill won the fourth quarter 8-6 after McIntire emptied the Patriots’ bench.

“Well, it looks like we didn't prepare for a 1-2-2 at all, but we did,” OHHS coach Kerri Barcomb said. “I don't know if we were intimidated by it, or if it's because it's length that we haven't seen that we can't emulate in practice. … But it’s a learning experience and it’s just game three.”

JCHS senior Breanna Dirksen lifts off for a layup during the third quarter of a 38-15 win over Oak Hill on Tuesday. Dirksen had four points in the quarter and was the Patriots’ second-leading scorer with eight total. (The Commercial Review/Andrew Balko)

 

While the Golden Eagles struggled to put points on the board, the Patriots did it with ease.

Freshman Hallie Schwieterman continued to be Jay County’s leading scorer, totaling 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting and going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line. She also drained two 3-pointers.

After being held to 10 points against Hamilton Heights, Schwieterman was able to get out in transition and get open looks in the half court.

“Part of that was just a confidence thing,” Schwieterman said. “Hamilton Heights had a really good defense. So did Oak Hill, but I definitely feel like we were more comfortable with the ball because we know we can beat this team.”

McIntire said she was pleased with how Schwieterman has filled into her role on the team. After just three games on varsity, the freshman is looking to score and has developed a scorer’s mentality. During those games, she is averaging 15.7 points per game with a 41.2% field goal percentage.

Overall, she felt that everyone filled their roles and played to their individual strengths. She will look for that and a strong start as the Patriots travel to Decatur to take on the Bellmont Braves on Friday.

“A lot of girls did what they do well tonight,” McIntire said. “I told them in the locker room that we have our second biggest test on Friday  Bellmont.

“They play a lot like we do as far as they’re scrappy and get after you on defense. We’ve got to get ready to play and match their intensity and actually surpass their intensity because that's the style we like to play.”

Junior varsity

The Jay County JV team fell to Oak Hill 24-16 on Tuesday to lose its second game in a row.

After the Patriots (1-2) won the first quarter, the Golden Eagles turned up the intensity to come back and win the three-quarter game.

The Patriots had a new leading scorer as Raylah Newton took the lead to put up nine points.

Outside of Newton, Jay County got three points from Meredith Dirksen and two out of both Kady Allred and Alexis Sibray.