Lady 'Hounds stop St. Mary's

Junior Aaron Schlatweiler had 10 points and five assists during the 'Hounds' loss to St. Mary's. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

SWEET SPRINGS -- The Sweet Springs girls' basketball team had been scuffling around through much of the season, but lately has found a little groove.

The Lady Greyhounds raised their record to the .500 mark Monday with a 48-46 non-conference decision over visiting St. Mary's of Independence, their third win in the last four games -- what head coach Boyd Jones called "probably our best overall effort of the season."

A pair of three-pointers off the bench by sophomore Sarah Dortch staked the Lady Trojans to a three-point halftime lead, but Sweet Springs came back with a 17-8 third-quarter run as junior Kathleen Tyler hit two shots -- one from long range.

Bombs from Dortch and senior Katie Smith kept St. Mary's in contention, aided by the Lady 'Hounds' poor free-throw shooting -- only five of 13 from the charity stripe during the final frame, and 13 of 29 for the game.

However, the Lady Trojans were only eight of 16 from the line down the stretch.

Dortch led all scorers with 14 points for St. Mary's (7-5), which wasn't able to create the number of turnovers with its man-to-man full-court press that other opponents have against the Lady 'Hounds.

Sweet Springs' scoring was balanced, with all five starters between six and nine points -- senior Stephanie Krause with that high mark. Juniors Kristin Jones, Jodie Harris and Rachel Thornton each had eight points, with Jones collecting 10 rebounds.

The Lady Greyhounds (9-9) will face a stiff challenge today when they host a capable Slater club which is itching for a victory after dropping two of three games at its tournament last week.

The Sweet Springs boys cut a seven-point halftime deficit to a point heading into the fourth quarter, but the Trojans closed with a 23-11 spree to take the nightcap, 65-52.

Junior Blake Schofield scored nine of his 11 points during the first half to give St. Mary's the lead, but junior Zach Thomas led Sweet Springs' comeback with six points during the third period.

Senior Paul Baker and junior Michael Monteleone -- who has a team-high 13 points -- buried threes early in the fourth quarter for the Trojans (6-6), who sank nine of 16 free throws during the frame.

Thomas led the 'Hounds (8-10) with 13 points and 10 rebounds, with junior Tyler Dohrman adding 12 points.

Sweet Springs will take on a young Slater team today.