After starting off the season 0-3, the Cardington-Lincoln girls’ basketball team (3-3, 1-0) bounced back with three straight wins including their first KMAC win coming against Fredericktown (3-2, 1-1).
"I think our turnaround has been caused by our ability to make some shots," said Coach Kevin Fitzpatrick. "We struggle to score consistently and the last few games we’ve made some shots. Our defensive intensity has been very good and we’re forcing turnovers that lead to some runouts."
On Dec. 5 the Pirates faced Highland (2-4, 1-2) at home at took a 42-31 victory. Abigail Hardwick led the way with 1 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal. Lydia Hess had eight points, three rebounds, four steals and an assist.
Highland was led by Makaylee Merckling’s 14 points. She also had a rebound, an assist and two steals. Bryleigh Young had eight points and seven boards, as well as an assist, a steal and a block.
The Freddies hosted the Pirates on Dec. 6 and Cardington-Lincoln walked away with a 47-34 conference win. Kinstin Henthorn scored 13 points to lead the way for the Pirates. She also had three rebounds, two assists and one steal. Hardwick had only three points but stuffed the stat sheet with eight defensive rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block. Lydia Hess had eight points, five defensive boards, four steals, one assist and one block.
The Freddies were led by an 18 point effort by Cally Carpenter, who also tallied seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ella Bouton had six points, four steals, two assists and a rebound. Jill Bouton snagged nine boards and had three steals, a block, an assist and two points,
On Dec. 11 the Bucyrus Redmen (2-4, 0-2) came to town and Cardington-Lincoln went up 5-0 to start the game, highlighted by a three for Lundyn Blevins. The Redmen were trying to score but Madison Caulkins had something to say about that, swatting away a shot to keep it a five point lead for Cardington-Lincoln. The Redmen battled back to make it a one point lead, but Henthorn drilled a three for the Pirates to go up 11-7.
In the second quarter it was a 15-7 game when Lydia Hess hit a wide open three that clanked off the front rim but found the net to put the Pirates up 18-7. Abigail Hardwick made it a 22-10 game on a fast break score for the Pirates, and Henthorn hit another three on a fast break to make it a 26-14 Pirate lead. Hardwick made it a 30-14 game on a steal and fast break layup, capping a 7-0 run for Cardington-Lincoln.
In the fourth quarter it was a 42-37 lead for the Pirates when Hess sank a three to make it an eight point lead. Hardwick scored on a fast break to put Cardington-Lincoln up 47-38. They took a 50-44 win, and were led by solid shooting from outside at 46%.
Cardington-Lincoln led in field goal percentage at 43% to 30% for Bucyrus. They also led 32-26 in boards, 12-8 in assists and 6-2 in blocks.
Hardwick led the charge with 16 points, 10 boards, four steals, three assists and a block. Henthorn also hit double figures with 10 points. Caulkins had seven boards, to go with two points, two steals, two blocks and an assist. Magi Hallabrin did well on the glass with six boards.
"We’re executing our offense better and getting some great open looks," Fitzpatrick said. "I also think our mindset has shifted since we’re starting to play some league games. We know that we’ll be in the hunt for the league title again and I think that’s a motivating factor for the girls. We were so close last season that we want to take that next step and win the league. It’s exciting to see our growth over the past few games. Hopefully we can keep it going."
This week Cardington-Lincoln has a pair of KMAC matchups: Dec. 13 they host Danville and Dec. 16 they travel to Northmor with both games starting at 7:30 p.m.
