By Stephen Henderson
The Patrick County High School Lady Cougars traveled to Conference 32 opponent Franklin County last Monday for the first basketball game of the 2016-17 season and lost 54-41.
In the second game of the week, the Lady Cougars defeated Halifax County 43-36 Friday.
“In the game with Franklin County, we started the game out a little bit nervous, but we really played well and had the chance to win the game,” said Coach Mike Hedrick.
The Franklin County Lady Eagles took a 17-10 first quarter lead, and the Lady Cougars cut the lead to only four points at the half.
The Lady Cougars outscored the Lady Eagles 11-8 in the third to give PC a one point lead going into the fourth quarter.
“We were up one at the start of the fourth quarter, and at the end of the day, they just hit some shots in the fourth, and we did not. It didn’t go our way,” Hedrick said.
Franklin County won 54-41.
“I was really proud of our girls. The improvements we have made in the first month of the season have been leaps and bounds every single week,” Hedrick said. “I have to do a better job of coaching to get them to understand what I’m looking for. It starts with me doing a much better job.”
This week the Lady Cougars are focusing on the group being more aggressive on offense. “We just can’t look for one or two people to score—we’re all pretty good—we all need to score,” he said.
Autumn Hubbard scored 12 points for the Lady Cougars. Melanie Roberson added seven, and Hannah Roberson scored six.
Friday night, Patrick County defeated Halifax 43-36.
The Lady Cougars and the Lady Comets started off with a slow tempo; neither team getting into double figures. Halifax led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lady Cougar offense came alive in the second period, scoring 12 points and taking a five-point lead.
They continued the improved tempo until the final quarter when both teams scored 16 points. However, the Lady Cougars had amassed a lead and maintained it.
“I am proud of the girls for getting our first win of the season,” Hedrick said. “We had a difficult time shooting against Halifax, and that is mostly my fault for not getting the girls enough shooting reps in practice,” he added.
“Learning to win is a big part of being consistently successful, and us coming away with a road victory despite our offensive woes is a step in the right direction,” he said.
“We were very lucky Autumn Hubbard made some great plays to keep us in the game and ultimately lead us to victory,” he added.
Hubbard led scorers with 15 points. Izzy Beasley added 12 points, and Sydnee Burnette picked up seven.
The Lady Cougars hosted Christiansburg Tuesday night. They will compete in a tournament at Blacksburg High School Friday and Saturday, playing Giles County at 5:30 p.m. Friday afternoon and Radford at 2:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
