Staff Writer
WASHBURN – From the tipoff, the Ashland girls pushed the Beavers back and looked like they might turn the Friday night match into an upset over the Washburn force.
However, the Beavers pulled together in the fourth quarter to pull rank, 46-40.
Ashland junior Crystal Cook drove in the first two points of the game with a quick layup in the opening minutes of play.
Washburn senior Kelsee McLaughlin forced up an answering layup despite the tight Hornet defense.
However, Ashland again proved that bus-legs didn’t bother them as they put up a three-pointer and drew a foul on the rebound.
As the Hornet faithful fell into a chant, Beaver head coach Ron Ericson called a timeout to pep up his starters.
Washburn shot to within one of Ashland to end the first eight minutes 9-8.
According to Ericson, players on both teams had some beginning-minute jitters due to the school rivalry.
“I think both teams were kind of feeling each other out,” said Ericson.
The Hornets swarmed the Beavers with full-court pressure much of the second quarter.
However, WDHS powered past jump shots to put themselves back on top going into the half, 20-17.
“I don’t know that it was as effective as I wanted it to be,” commented Ashland’s head coach Bill Nemer about their pressing game. “It did slow them down but it didn’t lead to enough conversions or as many steals as I wanted it to.”
Ashland went back to the front in the third quarter after Ericson had to call Rachel Palmer and Kelsee McLaughlin to the bench when they tallied a third foul. However, a late fourth run of Beaver baskets confirmed Washburn’s number-two Heal Point ranking.
Erica McDougall contributed four important foul shots to the late Beaver effort for a total of 15 points.
Freshman teammate Rebecca Campbell also had 15 points for Washburn.
“She’s pretty smart,” said Ericson of freshman Campbell. “She’s been able to play her way into things. She has long arms and gets her hands on a lot of balls.”
Rachel Palmer fought inside the paint for eight points.
Senior Mindy Chasse planted 14 points for the Hornets, and Suzie Poulin tallied up three three-pointers toward her 11-point total.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK A PASS, senior Beaver Kelsee McLaughlin jumps to disrupt the handoff from junior Hornet Suzie Poulin.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
SENIOR WHITNEY FLINT takes the ball down the court in the Washburn matchup.
