Girl’s Basketball: Junior Chemics fall to Cavaliers

by Cory Butzin

The Midland High junior varsity girl’s basketball team committed several turnovers and fell victim to the sharp shooters of Carman Ainsworth Wednesday as the Cavaliers used seven buckets from long range to pull ahead in the third and hold off Midland for a 56-44 win at Midland High School.

“I thought their outside shooting was very, very good,” said Midland coach Larry Kastl. “For a JV team they really shot the heck out of the ball.”

The Chemics struggled throughout the game against the Cavalier press, committing costly turnovers that held them to only four first quarter points. But their defense did its best to keep them in it, as Carman Ainsworth was only able to score seven in the first themselves.

“I’m really pleased with the way we’re playing defense and causing turnovers, but we’re not converting on the turnovers,” Kastl said. “A turnover ought to equal two points and it doesn’t for us.”

Midland was able to make a run, in large part due to its bench, scoring 21 points in the second to take a 25-24 lead into the half. That offensive outburst came from the hot shooting of Sam Stover who contributed six points, and Alex Kerlin who led all Midland scorers with 12.

“I was real pleased with Sam Stover,” Kastl said. “She hit some big shots in that second quarter when we came from behind. Alex Kerlin hit some big shots for us also. The ability to come off the bench and score is hard, and they did a real nice job. “

The hot shooting turned in favor of the Cavaliers as they were able to open the third quarter with a run, led by Sasha Patterson and Jessie Marino who hit several 3-pointers to build a 44-36 lead going into the fourth. It was a lead that they would not relinquish.

“It wasn’t that we played that badly,” Kastl said. “It was a couple turnovers and they hit a couple three point shots.”

Carman Ainsworth’s lead grew into double digits early in the fourth and the Chemics would make a couple of runs, but it never again reached single digits.

“You work like crazy to do things right and get the ball, which we’re doing,” Kastl said. “But then the payoff ought to be scoring a basket and we’re falling short.”

Also contributing offensively for Midland was Katy Porterfield, who finished with 10 points.

The Cavaliers were led by Patterson’s 19 points and 12 from Marino.

The loss dropped the Chemics to 4-3 on the season. They look to get their offense on track Friday when they host their cross-town rival Dow. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.