Second-half rally denied; Ashe falls to Forbush
Ashe County High's girls basketball team hosted a Play4Kay fundraiser Wednesday night when
they hosted Forbush. Proceeds from a 50/50 raffle went to the Kay Yow Cancer Fun. Styling in
their pink warmups before the game were (front) Hannah Shipp, (second row, from left) Kayla
Spears, MacKenzie Johnson, Sierra Wilson, (third row from left) Emily Flanagan, Haley Maloney,
Chelsea Reavis, (back row, from left) Morgan Hudler and Paige Spell. More than $350 was raised
by the team.
Alan Wooten photo/AMT
Last modified: Jan. 25
Alan Wooten
One or two plays and sequences didn't cost Ashe County High its 58-47 loss to visiting Forbush Wednesday night in Mountain Valley Conference girls basketball.
But a tendency repeated is taking its toll.
The Lady Huskies dropped behind, this time by 14 in the first half, and rallied furiously with a better second half. Ashe had the partisan crowd aroused with the fist eight points of the third quarter, trimming the margin to 35-31.
But no field goals the final 4Â1/2 minutes of the period helped the Lady Falcons escape and gain a measure of revenge for a loss to Ashe in December.
“We waited until the second half to get going,” said Ashe head coach Laura Foster. “I thought our defensive effort was not there in the first half. It was much better in the second half.
“We got it down to four, then we missed a layup, missed a set play, but the ballgame isn't one play. We can't dig that big a hole.”
The game was part of Play4Kay night hosted by Lady Huskies. Proceeds exceeding $350 were raised for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, both teams donned pink T-shirts for warmups and pink shoelaces were prevalent.
The Lady Huskies (6-13, 2-10 MVC) lost their seventh straight in league play, although aside from a loss to Wilkes Central none of the defeats in the string had exceeded 10 points until Wednesday's 11-point setback. Ashe is at Alleghany Friday, which is the last MVC team it defeated (47-34 on Dec. 16).
Foster said the improved second-half effort is a positive, as was success utilizing fullcourt pressure. She lamented missed assignments in the press that allowed Forbush to score in transition ahead of the Lady Huskies' defenders.
“Forbush has improved,” Foster said. “They've been playing people close. Lindsey Williams, their point guard, is one of the best in the league. She's calming to their team.”
Ashe was led by seniors MacKenzie Johnson and Hannah Shipp with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Forbush was led by Savannah Hill with 15 points, including 13 in the first half. Maddi Morsch scored 14 points, and Williams and Lindsey York scored 10 each.
FORBUSH 58, ASHE 47
Forbush (58) — Savannah Hill 15, Maddi Morsch 14, Lindsey York 10, Lindsey Williams 10, Leighann Waldrop 7, Jensen Pendry 4, Madison Gentry, Natalie Houser, Jessica Funk.
Ashe County (47) — MacKenzie Johnson 16, Hannah Shipp 15, Paige Spell 8, Haley Maloney 3, Morgan Hudler 3, Sierra Wilson 2, Kayla Spears, Chelsea Reavis, Emily Flanagan.
Forbush 17 18 7 16—58
Ashe County 13 10 9 15—47