Lady Panthers taken apart by Nashville; win over A-J
<b>PCHS 19, Nashville 43</b>
"We knew this was going to be a learning year, and we have plenty to work on," Lady Panthers Coach Alan Engelhardt said after Thursday's loss to Nashville, 43-19.
Engelhardt said the girls ran the offense better than in the previous two games, getting some quality looks in the lane and at the rim.
"It boils down to being able to put the ball in the basket consistently, and we have not been able to do that," he said. "We will continue to work in practice and focus on our skills, because those have to improve for us to have a chance to compete."
Engelhardt said the Panthers had no answer for Alyssa Cole, a Hornette junior who scored 23 points in the lopsided victory. "She scored on us in the post and on dribble drives," the coach said.
He said they will sit down and watch film, "and hopefully we can have a good practice to take us to our game against Anna-Jonesboro on Saturday."
Scoring by quarter
Pinckneyville: 05 07 02 05
Nashville: 14 06 13 10
Scoring by team
Pinckneyville: Mo Morgenthaler (5) 2 baskets, 1-4 at the line; Ruppert (4) 2 baskets; Wiggers (3) a three-point basket; Heisner (2) 1 basket; Harris (1) 1-2; Pauley (4) 2 baskets.
Nashville: Alyssa Cole (23) 10 baskets, 3-3 at the line; Halle Rueter (6) 2 baskets; Emily Schnitker (5) 2 baskets, one a three-pointer; Talanie Kozuszek (3) a three-point basket; Jordan Donato (2) 1 basket; Delaney Varel (2) 1 basket; Janke (2) 1 basket.
<b>PCHS 27, A-J 16</b>
Coach Engelhardt said the Lady Panthers moved the ball much better in this game on Saturday.
"I thought we did a good job of stopping dribble penetration today which made it difficult on them," he said. "We did a good job of pinching down and helping on the drive as a whole.
"Emily Ruppert was tremendous in that respect, getting multiple steals."
The coach said offensively, the team got better as the game went along because we moved the ball so much better; it wasn't all dribble drive and the ball didn't stick.
"We still have to do a better job of scoring the ball around the rim, especially not avoiding contact in there," Engelhardt added. "We are showing some progress, a little at a time, which is what this season is about for us."
Scoring by quarter
Anna-Jonesboro: 04 07 04 01
Pinckneyville: 04 05 08 10
Scoring by team
Anna-Jonesboro: Jaley Watkins (7); Denny (6); Anna Hess (3).
Pinckneyville: Lily Tanner (8); Mo Morgenthaler (3); Olivia Wiggers (5); Emily Ruppert (4); Emily Baggett (3); Carly Heisner (2); Cheyanne Pauley (2).