Sheridan ends run of Lady Wildcats
PEARCY - El Dorado dug itself an early hole and Sheridan brought a really big shovel.
The Lady Wildcats fought to the end but fell short against an outstanding Lady Yellowjackets’ squad 47-39 Saturday afternoon in the 6A State semifinals at Lake Hamilton High School.
El Dorado tried to contain Sheridan’s potent inside tandem of Madison Raney and Diamond Morris. But, guard Sarah Moore drained three 3-pointers early and the Lady Yellowjackets executed their offense, building an 18-point lead.
The Lady Wildcats cut it to six in the fourth quarter but Sheridan drained 11-of14 free throws down the stretch.
“They just knocked down shots. We took a gamble,” said El Dorado coach Destinee Rogers. “We knew it was going to be hard to guard them manto-man because they set so many screens. We took a gamble and tonight it was their night. They knocked down shots. We couldn’t really score like we wanted to. It is what it is.
“These kids have fought all season long. We’ve had a way better season than anybody could’ve ever dreamed of this year. To go 21-9 with this team, I feel like we accomplished something. But, I can tell you one thing, this stings. I’ve never lost a state tournament game. Now, I know what it feels like. And, I don’t like it.”
Raney finished with 13
points and Moore added 11 for Sheridan, which improved to 23-6.
Coach Jamison Ingram said no shots were more important than Moore’s early 3-pointers.
“Sarah Moore came in and hit three (3-pointers). I think it caused them to have to get out of that zone and quit packing it in on Raney which allowed us to do some things that we like to do. We're a little more comfortable in that setting,” said Ingram. “It was huge to come off the bench and do that. She’s been doing it for us quite a bit.”
Sheridan pounded the ball inside to Raney early and the 6-1 senior scored six points in the first quarter as the Lady Yellowjackets jumped out to a 9-1 lead. Jada Wainright scored inside and Mekaylan Hicks hit a 3-pointer for the Lady Wildcats but Morgan scorched the nets on back-to-back 3-point bombs, triggering a run of 12 unanswered points. Raney hit the last two baskets as the lead swelled to 21-6 with 5:16 left in the second.
It didn't help matters for El Dorado when Hicks was called for her second offensive foul and went to the bench with 5:44 left in the half.
The Lady Wildcats managed to stay in contact on the scoreboard with some knuckle-down defense, a floater in the lane by Victoria Rice and a 3-pointer by Alexie Pope. El Dorado trailed 24-11 at the half.
Sheridan remained in control in the third and took a 34-18 lead into the final period. The margin was 36-20 early in the fourth when the Lady Wildcats made their final charge. Hicks scored in the lane before Pope popped a 3-pointer. Moments later, Pope missed a 3-ball attempt but the rebound bounced back out to Rice, who fed Pope again. This time, the senior's raindrop splashed through the nets, cutting the deficit to 36-28 with 4:35 left and bringing the strong El Dorado contingent to its feet.
The Lady Wildcats pulled to within six when Hicks got her own rebound and scored with 3:48 to play. But, Sheridan pulled the ball out and nailed the game down at the free throw line. The Lady Yellowjackets hit 11-of-14 at the line in the final 3:45 of the game.
“We knew we had to, obviously, keep (Hicks) in check. Hicks is a phenomenal player," said Ingram. "We really talked about letting our (Raney) match what she did. To a degree, we expect her to get what she’s going to get. We wanted to make someone shoot it other than (Pope). You saw her get hot and what she’s capable of. That was our game plan.
“We played them about a week ago. We knew they were fired up. We knew they’d be coming for us. We expected nothing less than what we got right there.”
Hicks led Dorado with 19 points, including three 3-pointers, with 10 rebounds. Pope scored nine. Grace Murry had three steals.
"We're going to go back and we'll have tryouts soon. We're going to get to work," said Rogers. "We've got a lot of young kids coming up. I believe we could be sitting right back in this situation a year or two later. But, we're going to get to work in El Dorado and we're going to be back. I'm proud of this team. We're very inexperienced and we fought. I'm proud of them. I hate the seniors have to go out this way but I'm proud of them. They're going to go on and do great things in life.
"I don't know what else to say. It hurts."
Marion defeated Lake Hamilton 50-37 in the other semifinal.