By RICHIE HALL
sports@readtherepoter.com
SHERIDAN – Back home at Larry Hobbs Hall for the first time in two weeks, the Sheridan girls basketball team got a big win on Tuesday.
The Blackhawks rolled past Frankfort 72-33. Sheridan outscored the Hot Dogs in all four quarters, although the first one was close. The ‘Hawks led 15-9 at the close of the opening period, with Kenzie Garner and Chaney Smith both scoring six points.
“It was a rough start in the first quarter,” said Sheridan coach Jaidlin Bradshaw. “Frankfort did a nice job of pressuring us and making us uncomfortable. I think then once we figured out how to make those adjustments, it got a little easier for us.”
Sheridan got going in the second period, outscoring Frankfort 26-6 for 41-15 halftime lead. Garner threw in two 3-pointers during the quarter; she had nine overall in the period. Smith added eight second-quarter points, while Ashley Webel put in seven points.
“It’s taken seven games, but we’re definitely starting to find our roles and figure out how to put the ball in the basket and playing a little bit of defense, which we didn’t do a whole of the first couple of games,” said Bradshaw. “It’s really nice to see them pull it all together and play together and get a nice team win.”
The third quarter was a little close, as the Hot Dogs continued to fight. But Sheridan was able to extend its lead, going up 60-21. Webel added another seven points; both she and Smith drained one 3 each in the second quarter, and Webel nailed another triple in the third.
By the fourth quarter, a running clock was in effect, and the Blackhawks outscored Frankfort 12-2. Garner had five more points, finishing the game with 22 points, including three 3s. Smith scored 21, while Webel also made three 3s total on her way to 19 points.
Sheridan had seven players score in the game, a nice showcase for the Blackhawks’ balance. The team is playing without Cecilia Timme, who is out with an injury. While it’s never fun to not have a player, Bradshaw said it’s “definitely forcing people to step up more,” and Timme is finding ways to help the team as well.
“She’s a great coach,” said Bradshaw. “She sits right at the front of my bench and helps me keep track of stats. She sees things from a player’s perspective, so it’s nice to have those eyes and ears just right next to me during games, as well as the coaches’ eyes and ears.”
Sheridan is 3-4 for the season and plays again Friday against Clinton Prairie, part of a home Hoosier Heartland Conference girls-boys doubleheader.
SHERIDAN 72, FRANKFORT 33
Sheridan FG FT TP PF
Lilly Chesney 1 0-0 2 0
Ashley Webel 8 0-0 19 0
Kenzie Garner 8 4-5 22 4
Chaney Smith 9 2-3 21 0
Jacquellynne Bates 0 0-0 0 4
Nova Cross 1 0-0 2 2
Shelby Eaton 1 2-2 4 2
Mac Smith 0 0-2 0 0
Makaley Terry 1 0-0 2 1
Kennedy Zachery 0 0-0 0 0
Totals 29 8-12 72 13
Score by Quarters
Frankfort 9 6 16 2 – 33
Sheridan 15 26 19 12 – 72
Sheridan 3-pointers (7) Webel 3, Garner 3, C. Smith.