By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
CNHI
March 16, 2010 — The Lady Vikings were unable to clinch a State title over the weekend, but they did make some serious headway in the program.
Saturday’s loss to Louisville’s Mercy (53-45) came during Rowan’s second appearance in the final four in school history.
“It was a huge accomplishment,” Coach Scott Tackett told The Morehead News. “It was a huge step forward for our program and a testament to how hard these girls have worked.”
The gals in green barreled through the Elite Eight match up with a 48-31 victory over Clay County Friday.
The two teams were tied at 8-8 after the first quarter of play. The Lady Viks hit just seven shots during the second and third quarters, but six of them were from outside the perimeter. Tierra Hamilton, Kaitlyn Muncy, and Natasha Kissinger hit two threes each and Jenna Kiser sank one from outside.
“We teach our kids to play what the defense gives them” Tackett said. “Clay County had huge girls inside. They were packing the zone in and we got some good open looks. I was pleasantly surprised at the shooting percentage. We had wide open uncontested looks so we should have knocked them down.”
The Lady Vikings jumped out to a 12-point lead at the half and never looked back.
“Our kids have been there before,” Tackett said. “They understand what it takes to win. We took a lot of wind out of the Clay County sails early. They had trouble getting the ball inside and they understood they would have a hard time rest of the game.”
Hamilton led the Lady Viks in scoring with 13 points and Muncy put up 12. Kissinger had 11 and Kiser sank five. Adri Neely put up four and Taylor Lewis went 3-for-4 at the charity stripe.
Overall the Lady Vikings hit 29-percent from the field and nailed 19-for-24 at the line.
Rowan’s gals faced off with Louisville Mercy on Saturday morning, falling 53-45.
The Lady Jaguars came out with a devastating 1-2-2 pressure that left the Lady Vikings confounded as Mercy forced 30 turnovers. Rowan jumped out to an early 7-5 lead, but Mercy held them to four points in the second to lead 24-11. The Lady Vikings out scored the Lady Jags 14-10 in the third and 20-19 in the fourth, but were unable to push past the lead Mercy grabbed before the half.
“A lot of things happened there in the second quarter,” Tackett said. “It was a perfect storm that led to their lead. We had some turnovers and some trouble scoring. Not taking anything away from Mercy, they are very deserving. Without the turnovers, we probably would have won. We didn’t, but I am proud of the girls for not quitting and not laying down on me.”
Rowan’s gals did a great job off the boards, out-rebounding Mercy 45-35.
“That was a very pleasant thing to see,” Tackett said. “We out-played Mercy in a lot of areas. We held them to 30-percent from the field and out scored them for three quarters. I don’t feel like there is that much separation between us and the state champs.”
Neely was the leading scorer for the Lady Vikings with 17 points. Mercy was able to hold Natasha Kissinger scoreless, which proved to be Rowan’s undoing.
“Adri is one of those girls you get good rebounding out of,” Tackett said. “But we hadn’t counted on high points. If we ‘d had a close to average game from Natasha we would have won. We didn’t get any points from her but she continued to fight.”
Hamilton had 15-points and Muncy sank six. Kiser had four and led the team in rebounding with 11. Lewis hit one from outside the perimeter.
Neely and Hamilton were selected for the All Tournament team.
The Lady Vikings will say goodbye to Muncy, Kiser, Neely and Kissinger, who will graduate this year, but Tackett and his team of warrior women are already looking at next season.
“I think we are going to be ok next season,” Tackett said. “Lewis, Hamilton and Duff are coming back. Brown made big strides this season and our sophomore class is going to get in here this summer. They will be in the weight room and the gym, trying to get better.”
