The Apollo girls’ basketball team used an impressive assault in the first half to beat Owensboro 68-51 Friday evening at Eagle Arena.
The E-Gals (4-2, 1-1 9th District) started the game on a 10-4 run for the early advantage of the Lady Devils (6-2, 1-1).
“We were sluggish,” said third-year Owensboro head coach Jansen Locher, “and they jumped out to an early start.”
Locher spoke proudly of his team, however, as his girls showed genuine fight down the stretch. While the Lady Devils worked to cut a 21-point deficit to 13 in the fourth quarter, the E-Gals proved the better team.
Apollo head coach Natalie Payne said they had to account for a speedy Lady Devils’ attack.
“We know they are fast in transition,” Payne said. “We tried to disrupt their style.”
The E-Gals executed their game plan throughout, particularly in the defensive aspects of the game. Apollo forced double-digit turnovers by the Lady Devils, while only turning the ball over a handful of times themselves in the first half.
The E-Gals were lead in scoring and in play by sophomore Amber Dunn. Dunn, who had a game-high 23 points, had double-digit points in the first quarter alone. She also went on a stretch with seven consecutive made field goals.
“The last week or so, she has been playing with a lot of confidence,” Payne said. “It seems like she can’t miss.”
While Dunn lead the team in scoring, Payne sang the praises of her team as a whole. She also noted that her team has made tremendous strides in the first few games of the season.
“With a young team, you preach the small things,” Payne said. “It’s beginning to be automatic for them. They’re sharing the ball. They are playing unselfish.”
Although only six games into the season, the intangible characteristics of a team unified showed in the E-Gals’ play Friday evening.
While the Apollo pulled away for the win, it was a well-rounded effort on the part of both teams. In addition to Dunn’s 23 points, three blocked shots, and three steals, E-Gals’ senior Lexi Shadowen scored 14 points and had three steals, while sophomores Kassidy Daugherty and Zoë Floyd each had nine points.
Meanwhile, the Lady Devils were lead in scoring by the work of Amaya Curry (16 points) and Tayonna Greer (14 points). Nia Gonzo added 10 points, and Mykael Winstead posted eight.
Owensboro dropped its second straight game after beginning the season 6-0, and they have a tough month of December with just one home game scheduled through the end of the month. The Lady Devils will travel Saturday evening to Ohio County (6-1).
The E-Gals also have a tough month ahead as they too go on the road Saturday to play Hopkins County Central (3-2).
District play for both teams will not resume until after school is back in session after Christmas Break.
Apollo stats: Amber Dunn (23 points), Lexi Shadowen (14 points), Kassidy Daugherty (9 points), Zoë Floyd (9 points), Brylee Rhodes (5 points), Amari Sanders (4 points), Addison Carter (4 points)
Owensboro stats: Amaya Curry (16 points), Tayonna Greer (14 points), Nia Gonzo (10 points), Mykael Winstead (8 points), Kaylyn Sowders (2 points), Lemiya Greer (1 point)
