Chatty, Walters girls hit County finals

Chattanooga’s relentless pressure defense simply overwhelmed Sterling as the Lady Warriors coasted into Saturday’s championship game in the Comanche County Basketball at the Great Plains Coliseum with a 52-17 win over Sterling.

Chatty jumped out to a 12-0 lead before Sterling finally put points on the board with a pair of free throws. It wasn’t until the 4:28 mark of the second quarter that the Lady Tigers converted their first field goal of the game, a Kalleigh Budd jumper from the baseline. But Chatty converted a trey from Jaci Cassell just seconds later and it was 23-4 and the Chatty girls were in complete command.

Sterling finally was able to go over the top a couple of times for buckets but still trailed 25-9 at halftime.

In the other semifinal it was another lop-sided game as Walters girls totally dominated from the first whistle, scoring off its pressure defense but also running some solid offensive sets that produced open shots in a 64-19 victory over defending champion Geronimo. Kynlee Edgmon led the way with 22 points and Kayla Meason added 12.

That sets up an interesting battle for the title Saturday when the championship session opens at 6:30 p.m. at the Great Plains Coliseum.

Thursday’s action started with a pair of girls consolation games with Fletcher beating Indiahoma, 47-27, and Tipton eliminating Big Pasture, 48-36. Fletcher showed one of its best efforts in recent Comanche County Tournament history with a roster loaded with underclassmen. The balanced Fletcher offense had 11 girls score with senior Katelyn Avila leading the way with 10.

In the second game of the night, Tipton used the long-range shooting of Jayla Fierro leading the way with 23 points including six treys. Angie Manriquez added 13 more. Natalie Martin had 11 and Kyleigh Martin chipped in nine.

Friday night the boys return for their semifinals Big Pasture meeting Walters at 7:10 in what sets up as an interesting shootout. Chatty boys and Sterling tangle in the other semifinal at 8:30 and that contest also is expected to feature pressure defense and some good long-range shooting.

Friday’s session begins at 4:30 with consolation games between Geronimo and Fletcher and then Tipton and Indiahoma at 5:50 p.m.

Chatty’s press smothering

Billy Karr has long been a coach who loves to press but most often it’s been with the Chatty boys. But this season he is also coaching the girls and his team’s assets are quick hands and feet.

“We are giving up about 23 points a game and forcing around 27 turnovers,” Karr said. “I am lucky, my brother had these girls two years ago and Bo Thomason had them last year and both of them taught these girls how to play defense and now I’m the buy benefitting from their work with this group.”

Karr was sending new players into on a constant rotation and he explained his goals.

“Sometimes I’m trying to get certain defensive matchups and sometimes I’m trying to protect a player to avoid foul trouble,” Coach Karr said. “I tell these girls to give me a good minute and a half and I’ll bring somebody else in for them. The great thing about these girls is they work hard every day.”

Karr is also benefitting from good depth.

“We are probably a solid nine deep but we got (Maddie) Koweno back this week and so we are probably back with 10 in our main rotation,” he said. “These girls just get after it.”

The team also benefits from several players who can shoot the three.

Maecy Fischer, now a junior, has long been a top threat from long range and last night she drained four treys in the first quarter and another in the second to finish with 17 for the Warriors. However, Thursday she got plenty of help in that department as four teammates also hit treys and all total Chatty hit 11 treys in route to the convincing win.