The Lady Patriots continue to roll and remain undefeated in 4A Conference 59 competition. They beat a scrappy Butler team 58-50 on the road and destroyed Rocky River 66-6 at home on Tuesday night. Independence is now 16-2 overall, 6-0 in conference play.
On Friday night at the “Dawg Pound” which was rocking the Lady Patriots dominated the first three periods, but the Lady Bulldogs mounted a fourth-period comeback cutting a 21-point deficit to 7, but they eventually would fall by 8 points.
In the first period the Lady Patriots who usually start out of the gate at a fast pace jumped out to a 16-2 lead as their run showed how quickly they can control the tempo of a game. Hannah Moss opened with a 3-pointer, Kamryn Kitchen swished two 3-pointers, and Chloe Moss who had a big night for Indy drilled another 3-point shot late in the period to end the scoring giving the visitors a 19-5 advantage silencing the loud Butler crowd on hand.
In the second period the teams played evenly as matters seemed to settle down as the teams exchanged baskets. Kitchen connected with another of her patented 3-pointers and Jessica Worthey got into the action for Indy scoring two quick baskets. However, the Lady Bulldogs tall girls Chloe Ross and Sydney Reynolds scored 8 points under the boards against the Indy defense. They duked it out against Indy’s Chloe Moss, Lola Cabanisss-Ali Lily Gorum, and Lily Todd under the boards as Indy coach Galvani rotated her front four. The Patriots walked off at intermission with a comfortable 31-16 edge.
However, in the second half during the third period Indy opened up their lead to 50-29 outscoring Butler 19-13 and it looked like this contest was over entering the final period. But the Lady Bulldogs were determined to make a game of this contest. They scored 21 points in the final period led by Ross with 8 points inside the paint, Joy Park the 3-point threat for Butler drilled two 3-pointers, Brooklyn Saunders found the range, and Reynolds battled under the boards while contributing 4 points. Indy held their own, thanks to the effort by Moss who scored 6 points inside under the boards jockeying for position and grabbing a much-needed rebound. The Indy shooters went cold, they could not find the range, Kitchen took her shots but they would not fall, this opened the door for Butler’s run. Along with some forced turnovers by the Butler defense. But in the end, the visitors prevailed and survived a 58-50 victory over their traditional arch-rival.
Chloe Moss led all scorers with 22 points, Kitchen contributed 16, Worthey 10 to lead the scoring for Indy. While Ross had 14, Reynolds 11, Saunders 9 for the Lady Bulldogs.
On Tuesday night at home Indy demolished Rocky River and started the game with a 41-2 run. This game was simply no contest, it was over before it began. Kamryn Kitchen led all scorers with 18 points, Jai’lun Brimmer 16, and Chloe Moss contributed 10 points for the Lady Patriots as the entire bench all had considerable floor time.
The Patriots will take on new brewing conference rival Charlotte Catholic who is ranked No. 8 in the 4A West standings while Independence No. 5 at home. Indy defeated CCHS on a last second shot at Catholic earlier this season 62-61. The Lady Cougars are going to be out to even up the score at the “Big I.” This game is certainly the match up of the week.
