Lady Hatchets dominate Alices

VINCENNES – The Washington Lady Hatchets made an emphatic early-season statement against a rival and potential post-season opponent with a 53-20 thrashing of Vincennes Lincoln at Alice Arena on Tuesday.

Class 3A No. 2 Washington (6-2) led from start to finish and set the tone quickly against Vincennes (3-3), outscoring the Lady Alices 7-0 and forcing Vincennes coach Tim Young to call a timeout less than 2:00 into the contest. By that time Vincennes was already 0-2 from the field and had committed two turnovers.

The lead would reach 21-3 after one quarter and 34-12 by halftime. The stifling halfcourt man-to-man defense of coach Gretchen Miles’ team forced nine first half turnovers and limited the Alices to 4-24 (17 percent) shooting in the first 16 minutes of action.

“This evening, we felt like the team defense was really good, and getting out in transition, that really led to early points for us in transition,” said Miles. “And then, when those things happen, we are a lot sharper offensively, when the kids are passing off good shots for great shots.”

Indicative of Washington’s defensive dominance was the fact that the Lady Hatchets allowed Vincennes just two 2-point field goals and sent the Lady Alices to the foul line only once in the game.

“We talked about coming out of the locker of how great a job we did of not putting them at the free throw line because they do a great job of getting to the line, especially J.J. Riggs,” said Miles. “She is so strong and gets to the rim so well. Ella (Williams) did a great job of just walling her up and not increasing that angle going to the rim because she’s really good at getting to the rim.”

Washington, meanwhile, shot 12-24 from the field in the first half, including 4-6 from behind the 3-point line. Katie Reed had two of those treys on the way to 14 points at the half, part of a game high 23 points. Shay Hawk added 12 points, followed by Kyra Schuckman with nine. London Gilley added six points, including a late third quarter bucket to make the score 51-15 and trigger the running clock. Ella Knepp rounded out the scoring with a 3-pointer for three points. Williams didn’t score but played an excellent floor game and helped lead the Lady Hatchet defense that limited the Lady Alices to 7-33 shooting, including just 2-19 from 2-point range.

Kiaya Farrar led Vincennes with nine points.

Washington also claimed the JV game 43-31. Maleigh Neidigh led WHS with 16 points, followed by nine from Maddie Withiem, six from Piper Young, five points apiece from Kenzi McWilliams and Sammi Clark, and two points from Campbell Cornelius.

Washington returns to action on Dec. 2 when the Lady Hatchets host Evansville Memorial.