Perrydale wins in a defensive struggle

Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868

The girls basketball team prevails scoring only six first-half points.

Photo by Sam Scott

It's getting a bit crowded under the hoop as Perrydale's Brooke Barnes (14), Calandra Cruickshank (12) and Hailey Woods (4) battle for a rebound against Falls City in the Jan. 29 game at Perrydale.

Sam Scott

PERRYDALE -- Perrydale's girls basketball team in recent years has struggled at times to put the ball in the basket.

Never was that more evident than in the Jan. 29 game against visiting Falls City. The Lady Pirates managed only six first-half points against Falls City's zone defense but somehow pulled away in the second half to claim a 29-21 victory.

"You've got to give credit to Falls City," Perrydale coach Luke Lindell said. "They came out with a game plan that helped them to succeed. In the first half, we had some real point-blank opportunities to finish at the rim and just didn't do it. The more you struggle with each shot, the more pressure there is. We got shots. We just didn't hit them.

"The kids were pretty down at halftime. Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself and know that things only can get better. They responded well in the second half."

Perrydale, after trailing 7-6 at halftime, had pulled ahead by two points when Audrey Regan hit a three-pointer with about two minutes remaining. It was Perrydale's lone three-pointer and Regan's only basket of the game.

Calandra Cruickshank paced the Lady Pirates (14-5 overall, 6-4 Casco Conference) with 11 points. Hailey Woods finished with eight.

Perrydale also lost 49-40 Jan. 26 against visiting Jewell. The Lady Pirates again had a rough start, falling behind 17-6 after the first eight minutes. They pulled within two points with about three minutes left in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.

"They jumped all over us," Lindell said. "They have a couple of individuals who are really good players. If you don't guard them, they will hurt you. Give them credit. They played about as well as they could.

"We battled all the way back and had a chance to tie the game. We just didn't make it happen. We've lost five games, and four of them were one-possession games in the final minutes. We know our execution down the stretch has to be better. We also need to come out a little quicker so we don't have to keep battling back all the time."