Big Elks, Elkettes take on rival Woodward at home

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Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 12:27

Derek Brown
Daily Elk Citian

The Elkettes were able to get their first home win against Hobart last Friday night. The Elkettes look to make it two wins in a row on Senior Night against rival Woodward tonight.

Earlier in the season Elk City traveled to the Lady Boomers' gym and were defeated 60-54. 

"The last time we played them there I think it was a 20-point deficit with three or four minutes left to go. We were able to chisel away at it there in the end," said Garrette Mantle, Elk City head coach.

The Elkettes were led by a balanced scoring attack with Courtney Jacks leading the way with 15 points, Mikayla Harrison dropped in 14, and Erin Hutchinson chipped in 11 points. Elk City will hope for another successful offensive output.

"The increasingly tough part for us is what they do defensively. They're very tall," said Mantle.

The Elkette defense will need to contain Woodward's Anna Hunter and Mikayla Wynn. Hunter scored 26 and Wynn put in 15 points. 

"I think the key is to limit Anna Hunter's and Mikayla Wynn's touches," said Mantle. "Both of them are long and tall and can score in different areas. Obviously a big key for us is to keep them from catching and keep them from getting touches."

The Elkettes are 1-6 while playing at home. Woodward is 4-9 away from home. Elk City comes in with a 4-17 record. Woodward is 6-14 on the year.

Woodward outscored the Elkettes 42-16 in the paint during the first meeting.

"I think we've kind of gotten a little bit better about recognizing and how to put pressure on the basketball," said Mantle. 

BOYS

The Big Elks will look to protect their home court two games in a row against Woodward tonight for Senior Night.

Elk City is coming into their home game against the Boomers with their highest scoring game by putting up 73 points. The Big Elks will lean on their offense in the rematch.

“I think the last time we played them they had their way with us defensively,” said Mantle. “Hopefully we’ve gotten better at handling traps and we’ll be able to move ourselves more against those traps.”

The Elks fell on the road to Woodward 67-47 earlier in the year. An ending that they would not like to repeat.

"I will say something about Woodward’s team. They’re a roller coaster ride,” said Mantle. “You don’t really know what to expect from them and I don’t think their coaching staff knows what to expect from them. I think they’re a team that’s going to shoot one-third of their shots behind the arc, and if those things go in I think they’re really going to be good. The nights that they don’t, they’re not going to be as good.”

Elk City will keep their eyes on Daniel Nelson, who scored 21 point in the first meeting, and Iliff Roach, who put up 11 against Elk City.

“They scored a lot of their stuff off of our turnovers,” said Mantle.

Luke Lewallen scored 20 and Connor Rogers chipped in 10 points against Woodward in the first time these teams met.

“I think for us it starts with the offense again. Which is kind of the opposite way that we usually talk, but I think it does,” said Mantle. 

The Boomers shot 27 of 49 from the floor and 8 of 20 from beyond the arc. 

“It’s a hard matchup for us,” said Mantle. “I think the big key here is to recognize who’s shooting the ball well that night. Try to be there on the catch with that guy and try to get help from those that happen to be help-side at the time.”

The Elks went 14 for 40 from the hardwood and 4 of 10 from 3-point range. 

“We need to control the tempo and control the basketball and get the shots we want,” said Mantle.