Lick Creek girls defeat Summersville in state tourney action Saturday

Lick Creek had an extra boost in its 25-23 win over Summersville in first-round action of the junior high school girls’ basketball Class S state tournament at Rend Lake College near Ina Saturday, Jan. 19.

“Woodlawn had played them twice before and their coach told me exactly what to do,” Lick Creek coach Matt Denny said. “We had a good scouting report. He told us they would pound it inside.”

Denny said his assistant coach, Becca Cunningham, filled the role of that big player in practice to prepare for the matchup.

Summersville also had prepared for the game, taping Lick Creek in regular-season action. Denny said his team made some defensive adjustments though to throw them off.

“They scouted us twice and videotaped us,” Denny said. “But our defense is what won it for us.”

The Lady Eagles’ defensive effort gave them a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Lick Creek led 11-10 at halftime, but trailed 17-16 heading into the fourth quarter.

Lick Creek trailed 22-18 with 3:00 remaining in the game before coming from behind to earn the win.

Summersville was able to control Madison Root, one of Lick Creek’s taller players, for most of the game. She finally was able to score 4 points in the fourth quarter. She also had 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

Elle Basler led Lick Creek with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 assists. She was also 5 of 8 from the free throw line.

Brooke Miller added 4 points, 3 steals, 2 blocked shots, an assist and a rebound. Morgan Dillow had 3 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, Bailey Hooks had 3 rebounds and Hunter Denny added a rebound.

With the win, Lick Creek improved to 23-1 this season.

The Lady Eagles are scheduled to play a state tournament semifinal game at 6 p.m. Thursday, today. Lick Creek will face defending Class S state champion Bartelso.

“They’re a good team,” Denny said. “They play a loaded schedule and have played two Class M teams.”

The finals are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26.