Post Photo by Chris Siers Kaegan Young battles through the Raiderette defense and finishes a possession for the Lady Champs with a basket. She scored 13 points for Cascade.
By Chris Siers
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
LYNCHBURG — In Friday night’s non-district matchup between Cascade and Moore County, it looked like the Raiderettes might run away after building a 34-17 lead by halftime.
But some halftime adjustments limited Moore County to just three made field goals in the second half and while Cascade was able to narrow the Raiderette lead, the Lady Champs couldn’t get enough shots to fall and fell, 43-33.
“We talked about having to guard the corners a lot better. They hit a few 3’s to start off. We just made those adjustments. We shuffled up our defense a little bit. I felt like that threw them off-guard. We just told the girls we have to extend ourselves defensively and make sure they’re not catch and shoot,” Lady Champion coach Janie Demonbreum said.
Moore County made a living in the first half off creating turnovers and points in transition off a full court press, complemented by some timely 3-point shooting.
But even after doubling up Cascade in the first half, Cascade was able to effectively limit Moore County’s shooting from the floor.
Moore County got just two field goals from Katie Fletcher and a third from Ellie Graham in the second half.
Cascade leaned on Sophie Ray, notably in the third quarter, as she battled her way to the free throw line where she made 5-of-6 attempts in the third quarter alone.
During the fourth quarter, it was Kaegan Young who knocked down six points, including a pair of free throws.
While shots were far and few between for the Raiderettes in the second half, Cascade wasn’t able to muster up enough offense off those stops and translate them into points on the board.
“We told the girls you’re going to have nights like that. When that happens, you have to rely on second-chance opportunities and we’ve got to get to the foul like. I thought Kaegan and Sophie Ray did a great job carrying us points wise. We have to get a little more involvement with the rest of the girls,” Demonbreum said.
Ray led all scorers with 16 points, while Young chipped in 13.
But just two additional Lady Champs scored, with Laina Carter and Anna Clanton each adding two points.
Cascade returned home on Tuesday night and hosted Brentwood and will close out the week on Friday at home against Fayetteville City.
Cascade 5 12 7 9 — 33
Moore Co. 15 19 4 5 — 43
Cascade: Sophie Ray 16, Kaegan Young 13, Laina Carter 2, Anna Clanton 2.
Moore Co.: Katie Fletcher 14, Anna Harder 11, MaKenzie Goodwin 7, Ellie Graham 6, Madison Dingler 3, Audrey Harder 2.
3-Point goals: Moore Co. (5): A. Harder 3, Goodwin, Dingler; Cascade (1): Young.
Halftime score: Moore Co. 34, Cascade 17.
