Basketball – Lady ‘Cats second in Frisco League Tournament
By Coach Steve Rissler
Round 1
Licking made quick work of the ninth seeded Laquey Lady Hornets in the first round of the Frisco League Tourney Monday night. The Lady ‘Cats came roaring out of the gates behind balanced scoring to take a 28 to 3 lead after one quarter and a 40 to 8 halftime score. Licking played all 15 girls and cruised to a 66-16 win. Senior Anna Sullins went down early to an ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return.
Licking was led by four girls in doubles with Abbie Sullins with 13 points; Kasey Richards with 11 points; Kiley Ingram with 10 points and 4 assists; and Kylie Taylor with 10 points and 5 steals. Kaida Cook added 6 points; Hannah Medlock 4 points and 2 blocks; Winter Murray 5; Tomi Rose 2; MaKenna Skidmore 2; and Maci Sparks 3 points and 4 assists.
“We got a chance to play everyone tonight so that was good. We did a good job of keeping our intensity up with several different lineups and new girls playing.” Coach Rissler
Semi-Final Round
The top seeded Lady Wildcats faced the number four seed in the Crocker Lady Lions in the semi-finals of the 2020 Frisco League Tournament last Wednesday. Licking was without four-year starter Anna Sullins, who suffered an ankle injury in the first round game. Licking started the game out of sorts and things stayed that way for most of the game. Crocker took advantage of defensive miscommunications and took an early lead, but a trio of layups, including a put-back at the buzzer by Kylie Taylor, gave Licking a 10-9 lead after the first.
Licking semi-settled down in the second quarter and took control of the game to lead 23 to 14 at halftime. The lead stayed the same throughout the second half and Licking advanced to the Championship game for the fifth time in five years.
Kylie Taylor posted a complete game with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, 8 deflections, 2 blocked shots and only 1 turnover. Kasey Richards added 10 points; Abbie Sullins 8 points, 9 steals and 3 assists; Kaida Cook 4 points and 4 rebounds; Tomi Rose 3 points and 3 rebounds; and Maci Sparks 2 points.
“We were out of sync from the start due to having to put girls in different positions on D. We must be able to play through adversity.” Coach Rissler
Championship Game
The Lady ‘Cats run of four consecutive Frisco Tourney titles came to an end Saturday night with a 39-27 disappointing loss to the second seeded Richland Lady Bears.
The first half was competitive as LHS did a good job of defending Richland’s two star players, holding them to 6 and 2 points respectively. Kylie Taylor hit 3 deep threes and the Lady ‘Cats held an 18 to 17 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw Richland PG Miranda Moss heat up, scoring 12 straight points to give her team a 10-point lead. Licking could only muster four points in the fourth quarter.
Kylie Taylor led Licking with 12 points on 4 threes. Kiley Ingram added 6, Abbie Sullins 5 and Hannah Medlock and Maci Sparks chipped in 2 points apiece. Licking finished 2 for 8 from the free throw line.
“We have struggled to finish around the rim and make outside shots all tourney. It’s very frustrating to get the shots we want and not make any of them. The transfer from success in practice to success in games isn’t there yet.” Coach Rissler
