Rowan simplifies game in win over Boyd County

By ROCKY STANLEY — The Independent

MOREHEAD March 05, 2008 07:17 am

— Teams struggled mightily to make shots throughout the first round of the Girls 16th Region Tournament.
So, Rowan County simplified the situation with a barrage of steals and layups in Tuesday’s nightcap.
The Lady Vikings racked up 34 points off turnovers and rolled past Boyd County 56-28 at Wetherby Gym.
Rowan County, coming off its ninth consecutive district championship, harassed Boyd County into 20 first-half turnovers and used a dozen layups to take control 37-11.
“That’s our MO (modus operandi),’’ Lady Vikings coach Scott Tackett said of his team’s method of operation. “ People the last month or last six weeks have been saying pressing and fast-break teams don’t traditionally do well in March. But that’s how we play. We have to use our strengths.’’
Boyd County made the first basket, but Rowan County closed the first quarter with a 16-2 blitz — including 10 points off takeaways — and never looked back.
“It all starts with ball pressure we get from (Cassidi) Spurlock and (Jennifer) Brockman, then (Nicole) Barr and (Katie) Martin in the passing lanes,’’ Tackett said. “That’s what got us going again.’’
The Lady Vikings finished with 21 steals and limited Boyd County to 19-percent shooting from the field.
“They get after you,’’ said Boyd County coach Pete Fraley. “We struggled to get the ball in bounds. When we did, we threw it away. We weren’t able to keep our poise. We got rattled.’’
Brockman made four of Rowan County’s 13 steals in the first half and all four of her baskets came on layups.
Boyd County managed only three baskets in the first two quarters against the Lady Vikings’ press and tight man-to-man defense.
“We work on defense every day,’’ said Barr, a 5-foot-9 senior who finished with a team-high five steals and also scored 11 points to lead the team’s typically balanced attack. “We like the fast pace where you get the ball and throw it down and somebody is ready for a layup.’’
Rowan County practiced that often against Boyd County, a team the Lady Vikings beat 95-57 two weeks ago.
“They force you to play their game,’’ Fraley said. “We knew that coming in. We wanted to be patient but after the first couple of possessions they started to take over. Rowan is a good team. Somebody’s going to have to get them on an off night and play real well to beat them.’’
The Lady Vikings pushed their record to 25-5 and advanced to Friday’s semifinals against Morgan County, a 33-31 winner over Russell in Tuesday’s first game.
Martin scored nine points, Brockman eight and Spurlock seven before heading to the bench early. Tackett substituted liberally and all of the starters played less than 16 minutes apiece.
Boyd County became the fifth team in the opening round to score less than 40 points at Wetherby, the former home for Morehead State University basketball teams.
“I love this gym, it’s so big,’’ Barr said. “I imagine the crowd and everybody yelling for you. I love the atmosphere. It’s sort of old school.’’
Boyd County finished the season at 14-14 but returns practically the entire squad.
“I told the girls we’re not good enough yet to compete for the regional championship,’’ Fraley said. “We have to work and get better.’’

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