This was a game of unknown’s right from the tip. The Lady Mustangs played without their top scorer MaKayla Sampson who is averaging 18 points a game. Maddie Stewart the power forward and the top scorer for the Lady Cougars was sidelined with a pulled hamstring. Both the Lady Mustangs and Lady Cougars are young squads to begin with, but tonight it was their youngest players that shined.
Bailee Harney and Hannah Salsman are both 8th graders. Harney has seen significant playing time for the Lady Mustangs and is averaging over 9 points a game. Salsman is the outstanding guard for the Lady Cougar JV and has seen some recent varsity action for Coach Johnson.
This was a game that came down to ball handling and shot selection. These two teams play contrasting styles. The contrast between the teams showed in the final numbers as Grayson County shot only 7 free throws compared to the 33 free throws Muhlenberg. At first glance you might say it was the officiating, but it wasn’t. Grayson County is known for pressing baseline-to baseline all night long. They are very good at trapping in the half court set as well. Muhlenberg County is more of a control oriented team and their ball handling skills prevailed against the press.
The Lady Mustangs made 21 of 33 free throws which turned out to be the margin difference in the game. Both teams made runs throughout the night but it was the play of both 8th graders that impressed all at the Cougar Den.
Bailee Harney finished with 26 points for Coach Harper’s Lady Mustangs. She sliced through the traps and pounded the interior lanes all night long. Her ability to move the ball gave her teammates an advantage on the offensive end. Madison Simms finished with 16 points, Caitlan Peterson with 14 points and Katy Porter finished with 10 points.
Not to be denied, Hannah Salsman finished with 23 points to lead the Lady Cougars. Kaylan Shull one of only 2 seniors on the Lady Cougar squad finished with 20 points and Grace White, the talented Freshman finished with 10 points.
Muhlenberg County did not play like a team with only 10 wins. They were poised, efficient, and kept their composure against arguably one of the best pressing defenses in the 3rd Region. The press is a double-edged sword, when it works you can dominate your opponent in the transition game. When it doesn’t, your opponent shoots 33 free throws and dictates the tempo of the game.
The Lady Mustangs have only one senior on their squad, Grayson County has two. Although the future is bright with talented underclassmen, tonight the 8th graders shined n a great 3rd Region match-up.
