Too Much Cache: Elks lose at home

Details

Published on Wednesday, 08 February 2012 12:58

Derek Brown
Daily Elk Citian

The Pioneer Center went dark for a few seconds nearing the end of the Elkettes’ game against Cache. Elk City's fourth quarter comeback was also turned off as Cache was able to slip past the Elkettes 49-43. 

Elk City head coach Garrette Mantle predicted that the game would be one in which Elk City could compete in, and it was.

Elk City shot 16 of 61 from the floor for a 26.2 field goal percentage. The Lady Bulldogs went 16 of 42 for 38.1 percent from the hardwood. The Elkettes converted on five 3-pointers while attempting 13 shots from past the arc. 

"When you get up 20 more shots than the other team and you don't win that's incomprehensible. I've never seen anything like that in my life," said Mantle. "The ball is not going through the hoop, which is the name of this game more than what you want it to be."

The Elkettes had a season low six turnovers and forced Cache to turn the ball over 18 times.

"The weakest part of their team is the ability to handle the basketball," said Mantle.

Mikayla Harrison led the game with 18 points. Kailan Craig chipped in nine points, Hope Merrifield, Nicole Lamar, and Erin Hutchinson all dropped in five points in the loss. 

Cache's Evelyn Mithlo led the Lady Bulldogs with 13, and Torri Hamilton scored 12. Madison Ward, who averages almost 20 points a game, was held to nine points.

"Hope did a great job on her [Ward]," said Mantle. "Hope and Macie both covered her throughout the night."

BOYS

Elk City's 14-0 run started the game, but Cache was able to catch fire and runaway with a win in the Pioneer Center.

The Bulldogs remembered that Elk City beat the Bulldogs on their home court 56-53 earlier in the year. 

Cache answered back with a 63-49 road win of their own.

"I thought their guards have gotten better," said Mantle.

The Bulldog’s slow start caused Cache to sit all five of their starters with 4:53 left in the first quarter. The Bulldogs came rushing back with a 22-8 second quarter momentum swing to take a 24-22 lead into the half.

“The first quarter they just played straight up,” said Mantle. “The change in the game was they went in the full court press and the half court trap and made us handle it and we didn't. I say we didn't but we did. The thing we didn't do is finish when we go to it [the basket]."

With 1:52 left in the second quarter Joby Gray suffered a broken nose and did not return. Gray had six points by then.

"Joby's an awful tough young man. He's the ultimate competitor," said Mantle. "If he can play Friday, if they'll let him play, he'll play."

The Big Elk defense could not contain the Cache offense as they outscored the Elks 25-14 in the final quarter.

"In the fourth quarter they just ran away with it," said Mantle.

Cache went 0 for 9 from 3-point range in the first half. The Bulldogs shot 4 of 8 in the second half from deep. The Big Elks shot 2 for 10 in 3-pointers.

"A lot of their 3's came in transition with rhythm too," said Mantle. "They came off our turnovers or our missed shots. You let them get into their tempo and it's going to be to their favor."