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Head coach Matt Hampleman's Lady Redbird varsity basketball squad got back to its winning ways Monday night, using a 12-4 third quarter advantage to break open a close game before eventually downing the Carterville Lady Lions, 57-49.
West Frankfort had only four players break into the scoring column, but a 22-point effort from sophomore forward Jasmine Chromchak, which included 12-points in the game's opening frame, were enough to lead the Lady 'Birds to the win.
"Jasmine was in the right place at the right time on several occasions in the first half," said Hampleman. "She was able to get a few offensive rebounds and run outs. She had a really nice game."
After a high octane first quarter that ended with West Frankfort leading 17-16, the pace slowed down in the second as both teams' defenses found their bearings. However, the Lady Redbirds were able to take a 26-24 lead into the locker room at the half, largely in part to a couple of hard-nosed baskets inside by senior forward Amy Bymaster and a long-range bomb from classmate Genni Hickey.
In the third quarter, West Frankfort clamped down at the defensive and took control of the game, holding Carterville to just one field goal in the frame. Also in the quarter, senior forward Gena Jones began to heat up on offense by knocking down a couple shots after being held to just two points in the first half.
"The difference in the second half was our defense," said the coach. "We switched to a box and one on their best player and it allowed us to build a little bit of a lead."
The Lady Lions posed a furious comeback attempt in the fourth, dialing in from long-range five times to cut the Redbird lead to four midway through the fourth quarter. However, West Frankfort managed to go to the charity stripe 22 times in the frame and Jones continued to play the role of closer, dropping in 10 points for the Lady 'Birds in the frame to help put Carterville away down the stretch for the 57-49.
"I'm really pleased with the win. Carterville is a really tough team and they are awfully tough on their home floor. The remind me a lot of us," said Hampleman.
In addition to Chromchak's 22 points, Jones finished with 17 points. Hickey and Bymaster pitched in with 12 and seven points, respectively.
Kelsea Ashton led the Lady Lions with 24 points.
The Lady Redbirds will be back in action tonight when they take on the Benton Rangerettes at Max Morris Gymnasium.
Head coach Matt Hampleman's Lady Redbird varsity basketball squad got back to its winning ways Monday night, using a 12-4 third quarter advantage to break open a close game before eventually downing the Carterville Lady Lions, 57-49.
West Frankfort had only four players break into the scoring column, but a 22-point effort from sophomore forward Jasmine Chromchak, which included 12-points in the game's opening frame, were enough to lead the Lady 'Birds to the win.
"Jasmine was in the right place at the right time on several occasions in the first half," said Hampleman. "She was able to get a few offensive rebounds and run outs. She had a really nice game."
After a high octane first quarter that ended with West Frankfort leading 17-16, the pace slowed down in the second as both teams' defenses found their bearings. However, the Lady Redbirds were able to take a 26-24 lead into the locker room at the half, largely in part to a couple of hard-nosed baskets inside by senior forward Amy Bymaster and a long-range bomb from classmate Genni Hickey.
In the third quarter, West Frankfort clamped down at the defensive and took control of the game, holding Carterville to just one field goal in the frame. Also in the quarter, senior forward Gena Jones began to heat up on offense by knocking down a couple shots after being held to just two points in the first half.
"The difference in the second half was our defense," said the coach. "We switched to a box and one on their best player and it allowed us to build a little bit of a lead."
The Lady Lions posed a furious comeback attempt in the fourth, dialing in from long-range five times to cut the Redbird lead to four midway through the fourth quarter. However, West Frankfort managed to go to the charity stripe 22 times in the frame and Jones continued to play the role of closer, dropping in 10 points for the Lady 'Birds in the frame to help put Carterville away down the stretch for the 57-49.
"I'm really pleased with the win. Carterville is a really tough team and they are awfully tough on their home floor. The remind me a lot of us," said Hampleman.
In addition to Chromchak's 22 points, Jones finished with 17 points. Hickey and Bymaster pitched in with 12 and seven points, respectively.
Kelsea Ashton led the Lady Lions with 24 points.
The Lady Redbirds will be back in action tonight when they take on the Benton Rangerettes at Max Morris Gymnasium.
