First quarter firepower fires Central Decatur past Lenox

LENOX – A strong first quarter propelled the Class 1A No. 2 Central Decatur girls past the Lenox Tiger Thursday night, 75-41.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 34-6 lead by the sound of the end of the first buzzer after knocking down seven 3-pointers in the opening period.

Alli Masters was a big part of that opening quarter and throughout the first half, scoring 20 heading into the locker room. Masters finished with a Central Decatur school record 35 points by nights end. She also finished with a double-double, adding 12 rebounds.

“(Masters) is just a force with everything she does, it doesn’t matter what fundamental of the game,” said Central Decatur head coach Curtis Boothe. “She’s right now been the best player on the floor and we expect her to be that way the rest of the year.”

After the explosive first quarter, Lenox held its own with Central Decatur.

Lenox head coach Clay Nelson credited a defensive switch as Lenox’s counter to Central Decatur’s opening barrage from the floor.

“We switched defense and after that I felt like we played a real good game,” said Nelson. “Very happy with our defense once we switched. Honestly, that’s probably the best three quarters we’ve played all year.”

The Tigers’ switch from a 3-2 zone to man-to-man defense slowed the Cardinal offense, in turn, allowing the Tigers to settle down on both ends of the floor.

Defensive persistence turned into offensive aggression as the Tigers forced their way inside, getting fouled often.

Lenox’s aggressiveness allowed them to get to the free throw line 27 times, resulting in 21 freebies made.

“That’s our gameplay every game. Drive, going to the rim, get contact,” said Nelson. “They were more aggressive going to rim tonight.”

Jessica Anderson was able to step out and hit a couple of 3-pointers for Lenox. She finished the night with 10 points.

Lenox also tried to attack on the defensive end as well with a press, in hopes to get some added turnovers. The move was something Boothe and the Cardinals hadn’t experienced much this year.

“It was kind of a surprise. That definitely sped us up. Usually, when you speed us up we’re going to score more points, but I don’t know if we handled it quite well all the time tonight,” said Boothe. “They just wanted to be aggressive and they were most of the second half.”

Lenox started three freshman in the game and two of them combined for 20 points. Jordan England finished with a team-high 14 points, knocking down three baskets and burying eight free throws. England also snagged seven rebounds.

TJ Stoaks had six points of her own, all of which came at the charity stripe in the second half. Stoaks also contributed three rebounds and three assists.

Central Decatur junior Abbie Ridgway had a solid night on the floor, chalking up 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. Alliey Boswell and Maizee Lindsey each added nine points of their own.

Both teams were limited by injuries as both Lenox and Central Decatur were without players essential to their respective brands of basketball.

A starter last season, Morgan Parrish suffered a broken arm in warmups against Clarinda and isn’t expected to return until after the holiday break.

Cardinal junior Emma Atwood was out of action in Thursday night’s game as well, but Boothe expects her to return to practice Monday.

UP NEXT – Lenox (1-5) stays at home with a chance at another unbeaten team in Nodaway Valley Tuesday.

Central Decatur (6-0) puts its perfect record up on the line as the Cardinals continue a five-game stretch away from home court. Its second venture comes against Interstate 35 in Truro on Tuesday.

CD (75) – 34 16 18 7

Lenox (41) – 6 13 10 12

CD (FG FT PTS) – Alli Masters 15 2-3 35, Abbie Ridgway 3 4-6 13, Alliey Boswell 3 2-4 9, Maizee Lindsey 3 1-1 9, Riley Bell 1 1-5 3, Morgan Nordyke 1 0-0 2, Erica Kauzlarich 0 2-4 2, Kennedy Buckingham 1 0-0 2. Totals – 27 12-23 75. 3-point goals – 9 (Masters 3, Ridgway 3, Lindsey 2, Boswell 1). Rebounds – 35 (Masters 12, Kauzlarich 5, Ridgway 4, Buckingham 4, Bell 3, Nordyke 2, Lindsey 2, Alaina Applegate 2, Boswell 1). Assists – 14 (Boswell 4, Nordyke 3, Ridgway 3, Masters 2, Applegate 1, Lindsey 1). Steals – 9 (Masters 3, Boswell 2, Lindsey 2, Ridgway 1, Kauzlarich 1). Blocks – 4 (Masters 3, Bell 1).

Lenox (FG FT PTS) – Jordan England 14 3 8-11 14, Jessica Anderson 4 0-0 10, Camryn Douglas 1 5-6 7, TJ Stoaks 0 6-8 6, Katelyn Belding 1 2-2 4. Totals – 9 21-27 41. 3-point goals – 2 (Anderson 2). Rebounds – 21 (England 7, Anderson 3, Belding 3, Stoaks 3, McKinna Hogan 3, Douglas 1, Lauren Christensen 1). Assists – 8 (Stoaks 3, Courtney Nelson 1, Hogan 1, Anderson 1, Christensen 1, England 1). Steals – 4 (Hogan 1, Douglas 1, Christensen 1, England 1).