GBB: Pendleton Heights Opens With Impressive Defeat Of New Castle

The first
quarter of a season opening game is seldom a very pleasant thing to watch. It
certainly wasn’t Tuesday evening at Pendleton Heights as the Arabians opened
their campaign against New Castle. Both teams struggled mightily to find the
basket. However, one quarter was all Pendleton Heights needed to make the
necessary adjustments that led to a comfortable 52-41 victory over the Trojans.

Mike McGraw
Hoosier Authority

New Castle
opened in a zone defense that caused the Arabians serious problems in the first
eight minutes. The Trojans also used a dribble penetration offense that caused
trouble early. In the latter minutes of the quarter, Coach Shaeri Dowd put her
troops in a 1-2-2 ¾ court zone trap designed to take New Castle out of that
offense. To say that it worked would be an understatement. A three pointer in
the waning seconds of the period gave Pendleton Heights an 11-7 lead at the
first break and they never looked back.

In fact, the
Arabians outscored New Castle 18-6 in the first seven minutes of the second
quarter. A little sloppiness allowed the Trojans to score the last five points
of the half and draw within striking distance at 29-18.

Some
adjustments on the offensive end made by the hosts at halftime insured that
strike never took place. New Castle felt obliged to abandon the zone defense in
the third quarter and the Arabians talented trio of guards took over the game.
Pendleton spread out the Trojan defense and used a penetrate and pitch approach
that led to one open jumper after another. By the end of the quarter the lead
had ballooned to 16 at 40-24 and the outcome was no longer in doubt. Pendleton
led by as many as twenty in the final period and only some early season
sloppiness from the bench allowed for the final margin.

Pendleton Heights was led by the double figure
scoring of the three guards. Mur Hagerman dropped in fifteen to lead the assault
while Hannah Douglas added 13. Hubble pitched in 11. Hoosier Authority talked
with Dowd after the game and her reflections are in the video player on this
page. The Arabians move on to a date with Muncie Central on Saturday.