Saturday, February 15, 2014

Varsity Girls Fall Short in First Round District Play

Chariton Leader, February 18, 2014
Bill Howes, Associate Editor

Lose to I-35, 45-38, End 2013-14 Season at 6-16

Despite a valiant effort, the Chariton varsity girls' season came to a close with a 45-38 loss to Interstate 35 at Truro in the first round of District action on February 15th.  Chariton trailed by single digits with a chance to cut it to two with under a minute left, but couldn't quite get over the hump. 
It was the final game for seniors Allyson Showers, Emma Fuhs and Emily Grismore.  Showers had a strong final game with 19 points, 11 rebounds and one block.  Grismore had nine points, four steals and one block.  Alexis Curran had six points and four assists.  Carley Arnold and Fuhs had two points apiece. 
With the win, I-35 advances to play North Polk.  Chariton also began the season against I-35, losing a close game to them, 39-34, at Truro back on Dec. 3rd.
Interstate 35 has three very good freshman players in 5'7" Slye Richardson, 5'10" Riley Morris and 6'1" Gracey Griglione.
In the teams'first meeting back in December, Morris had just two points.  However in this game she had 17 points.  Griglione had 12 points and Richardson had seven.
Chariton Head Coach Lee Sandy said one thing they tried to do was take away I-35's top scorers, Giglione and Richardson.  However they didn't figure on Morris scoring 17.
"We played well defensively and got off to a good start.  We tried to do things defensively to take away their top scorers.  But we did a poor job of taking away the weak side rebounds.  Griglione, Richardson and Morris are going to be very good over the next three years," Coach Sandy said.  
Chariton came out of the gates strong and led 8-2 early and 10-9 after the first period.  I-35 outscored Chariton 18-11 in the second to take a 27 lead into halftime.  I-35 outscored Chariton 10-6 in the third to take a 37-27 lead heading into the final period.
Chariton had some foul trouble with both Fuhs and Showers fouling out.  The Lady Chargers trailed by nine in the fourth but trimmed the lead to five.
Chariton had a chance to cut the lead to two with 40 seconds left but couldn't convert at the line.
For the game, Chariton shot 14-43 from the field and 8-15 from the line.  I-35 shot 15-35 from the field and 14-25 from the line.  I-35 out-rebounded Chariton 25-22.
Each team had only 14 turnovers.  Chariton committed 21 fouls, I-35 committed 13.  Chariton had 10 assists, 15 steals and two blocks.  I-35 had five assists, six steals and four blocks.[
"We couldn't quite get it done tonight, but the kids played hard.  We lost a lot of close games this season, but they worked hard and were a great bunch of kids.  It makes a tough season a lot better when you've got great girls to coach,"  Coach Sandy said.

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