By Mark Schmerling
With only four points on the board after the first eight minutes, Polk County’s women’s
basketball team needed a boost against North Henderson, when the teams met at
Columbus on Monday, Jan. 12. By the half, the Wolverines turned a two-point firstquarter
deficit into a 25-19 lead.
However, Polk was able to score only 17 in the second half, as the Knights fought back,
to win 45-42.
The Wolverines welcomed the return of Sarah Phipps, who’d been away over holiday
break. Phipps responded with a number of rebounds, but Polk’s eventual 10-point lead
faded late in the game.
Through three periods, the Wolverines led, 34-26, but, as with the men’s game later that
evening, the fourth quarter was anything but Polk-friendly.
Polk fell to 7-6 overall. The Wolverines played Owen on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Results
were not available at press time, but will be published next week.
Polk’s scoring woes surfaced early, as the Knights edged ahead, 4-0,with over four
minutes gone in the first quarter. Ashley Kropp scored first for the Wolverines, with a
long two-pointer, followed by Autumn Owen’s bucket. Polk’s defense, fierce as ever,
held off North Henderson, who led just 6-4, after eight minutes.
Early in the fourth quarter, a long pass to a solitary Hayley Kropp, and Kropp’s layup,
put Polk ahead, 36-26, with the Wolverines seemingly in control.
However, the Knights, who posted their tenth win, played like they had nothing to lose,
and scrambled back, to edge closer through the last quarter, tying the game at 42, then
winning on a three-pointer by Jonnie Petree at the final buzzer.
“I think we learned a tremendous amount about ourselves as a team,” remarked Polk
coach Brandy Alm, “experiencing a close game, and the buzzer-beater in the end, were
eye-opening experiences. We didn’t do the little things in the fourth quarter like we did in
the first and second quarters, but we fought hard and came up short.”
Kara Overholt led the Wolverines with 14 points, with Hayley Kropp adding ten.
Conference play continues this Friday, Jan. 16 in the evening, with the Wolverines
visiting Hendersonville, and on Tuesday, Jan. 20, when they invade Madison.
PHOTOS:
7748: Polk County’s Hayley Kropp is shown grabbing a first-quarter defensive rebound for the Wolverines against North Henderson. The Knights edged Polk, 45-42 at the final
buzzer. (Photo by Mark Schmerling)
7791: Though surrounded by three North Henderson players, Polk County’s Autumn
Owen (11, on floor) had the presence of mind to pass to teammate Sarah Phipps (12),
who was waiting for the ball. (Photo by Mark Schmerling)
7797: Polk County varsity basketball coach Brandy Alm, left, speaks to her players
during a time out in Monday’s game against North Henderson. Savannah Ross looks on.
(Photo by Mark Schmerling)