By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
MOREHEAD
MARCH 5 — The Lady Vikings took down the Ashland Kittens in the second round of the 16th Regional Tournament Wednesday night, 53-43.
Ashland grabbed the upper hand in the games opening minutes, going on a 6-0 run as the Lady Viks missed several shots. With just over three minutes left in the quarter, Rowan started hitting their shots, but trailed by four at the buzzer.
“I think they are trying to kill me with all the missed free throws and lay ups,” Coach Scott Tackett told The Morehead News. “Their effort was supreme, but we’ve got to make the easy shots. We missed shots in the first quarter that sixth graders make. But our kids go to work ever game and every possession. I couldn’t be prouder of how they responded after that ugly first quarter.”
The Lady Vikings opened the second quarter with a 12-0 run and jumped out to an eight-point lead at the half.
“We talked about missed opportunities at the half,” Tackett said. “In the third and fourth quarter we took care of those opportunities. We’ve had a problem all year long losing focus.”
Rowan outscored Ashland 11-5 in the third, but the Kittens weren’t ready to give up yet. Ashland put up18 in the final quarter to Rowan’s 14, but were unable to clinch the win.
“Natasha said, ‘Give me the ball, coach,’” Tackett said. “I have said it before and I will say it again, Natasha is the best player in the 16th Region, bar none.”
Natasha Kissinger led the Lady Vikings in scoring with 28 points.
“Tasha is a different kind of player. When I got here she was a jump shooter. When I got her I recognized she could be successful in the post. It doesn’t matter who she is up against, she is able to finish.”
Tierra Hamilton put up 12 while Kaitlyn Muncy and Jenna Kiser had five each. Taylor Lewis had one from the paint .
“Taylor is our back up point guard,” Tackett said. “She really adds a good athletic dynamic to the lineup and we are going to see a lot more of her in the next game or so.”
Adri Neely nailed one from the charity stripe. Despite a poor showing on the offensive side of the ball, Neely pulled down 15 rebounds for the gals in green.
“It doesn’t matter if you score if you can defend a rebound for us,” Tackett said. “Adri is a warrior on the glass for us and I wouldn’t trade her for anybody.” Overall the Lady Vikings hit just over 34-percent from the field and 50-percent from the perimeter. They went 13-for-23 at the line.
Rowan’s gals will face off with East Carter Saturday at Morehead State University’s Johnson Arena for the Championship game at 2 p.m.
“Hagar (Easterling) is a pretty good defensive coach,” Tackett said. “East Carter has in my estimation, one of the top three players in the 16th Region in Jessica Marshall. You’ve got to account for her every trip down the floor whether she’s on the block or at the three-point line. Whatever comes of this, it will be a tough one.”
East and Rowan traded wins in the regular season with each teams taking a home victory.
