Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Seniors Spark Lady Cards
HAMLEY, O’CONNELL LEAD FHS TO FIRST 5A-WEST VICTORY
FARMINGTON — Sharp-shooting early by Tori Hamley coupled with key free throws late by Trish O’Connell powered Farmington’s 45- 39 win against Harrison on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
The senior duo combined for 28 points to lead the Lady Cardinals to their first 5A-West victory, but it didn’t come easily. Using an aggressive half-court matchup zone, the Lady Goblins iced Hamley’s hot hand after she scored 14 of her game-high 16 points in the first half, including four 3-pointers.
“(Hamley’s) a big-time threat offensively every time she steps on the floor,” said Farmington coach Brad Johnson. “A year ago, she was a role player — our seventh man. We’ve asked her to step up her game on both ends of the floor, but particularly to carry our team offensively.
“When she shoots the ball like that, it opens things up for us by making the defense extend the floor.”
Hamley swished a 3-pointer on the game’s opening possession and followed it up with another on the Lady Cards’ third possession. Johnson said Hamley creates a “weird matchup” for defenses because she poses an inside-outside threat.
Harrison tweaked its defense to contain Hamley, although her only bucket of the second half was crucial. After the Lady Goblins grabbed their first lead on a Bailey Due free throw, Hamley’s buzzer-beating, rebound putback gave Farmington a 32-31 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
Johnson said “they basically committed a kid and a half everywhere (Hamely) went,” which apparently was the Lady Goblins’ plan.
“We were not supposed to leave (Hamley) alone at all,” said Harrison coach Doug Young. “We didn’t do a very good job of that early, but we did a much better job of keeping pressure on (Hamley) in the second half.”
The final margin wasn’t indicative of how close the score was as Farmington hit four free throws in the final 20.9 seconds, including two by O’Connell. There were five lead changes and two ties during the second half.
O’Connell’s free throws with :20.9 remaining gave Farmington a two-possession advantage (42-38). Josie Tevebaugh and Kaylee Brown each hit 1 of 2 free throws in the final seconds. Poor shooting from the free-throw line (8 of 19) wasn’t ideal in Johnson’s mind, but at least his players made free throws when it counted the most.
“This was an excellent confidence builder for us against a very good team,” Johnson said.
Boys
The Goblins staved off several rallies by the home team to remain unbeaten in 5A-West play. They received a combined 34 points from Jackson Marseilles and Tanner Curry, who led three players in double figures.
Farmington didn’t have as much balance offensive with seniors Matt Wilson and Matt Thomas combining for 44 points. Wilson scored six points during the first quarter to help even the score at 18-all before Harrison answered with a run of its own to regain control.