Hounds handle Central Lee in Saturday matinee

FORT MADISON – It was a matinee of sorts Saturday for the Lady Hounds, and the good thing is, everyone got to enjoy some of the show.
Fort Madison built a huge lead in its 54-27 win over Central Lee in the Hound Dome Saturday with Head Coach Landon Bentley emptying the bench with almost a full quarter to play.
Bentley said that’s one of his favorite parts about coaching is seeing role players get on the floor. It’s been a long time since the Lady Hounds can say 10 players scored and 15 players got on the floor in a single game.
Hadley Wolfe led the way with 14, followed by Dayonna Davis with 12. Reilynn Turnbull had six for Fort Madison.
But it was the one point from Katelyn Sissel that stuck out for Bentley.
“I love getting Katelyn Sissell in. Seeing her stick it out for four years and being an instrumental part of the program as a leader in practices. It’s great to get her in games,” he said.
“We also have a sophomore class of about five and, to get them playing time, as Hadley and Dayonna did as freshmen and sophomores, that’s how they got to where they are, getting them that experience so they are ready to go is important. And we have also have a group of freshmen, my sister Kerrigan, Lyla (Smith), and Jordan (Marshall), getting them on the floor is good, too.”
The Hounds used some full court pressure out of the gate to take a quick 10-0 lead forcing Central Lee Head Coach Taylor Hickey to use an early timeout at the 3:49 mark of the first quarter. Charlie Huebner put in four in the run off steals.
The timeout only gave both teams a breather as the Hounds came right back at the Hawks with a bucket by Turnbull and two back-to-back 3-balls from Davis for an 18-2 lead. Kenna Sandoval got the Hawks on the board with 2:05 left in the first period with a bucket inside.
Davis would convert two freethrows for a 20-2 lead at the end of one and would outscore the Hawks 17-9 in the second period for a 37-11 halftime lead.
Central Lee made some adjustments to make the second half more competitive, but both teams went to their benches early with the game out of hand. Fort Madison’s Halle Menke’s buzzer-beater at the end of the third was a bankshot 3-ball from deep off the left wing on the sideline.
Sandoval led the Hawks with 10 points and Nora Lampe had six.
Hickey said she has been focused on Southeast Iowa Superconference play and just let the girls play some basketball on Saturday.

“Honestly, I put a lot of time and effort into scouting and knowing our opponent, but I didn’t think anything with Fort Madison. We were zoned in on conference play, even Mediapolis last week and Van Buren,” she said.
“I just thought sometimes it’s best to let them go out there and play basketball. Not get overwhelmed with stats. That’s what I wrote tonight. We were gonna play 2-3 and try to move our feet and keep the same energy as last night, even though it’s a quick turnaround.”
Hickey said the girls are still struggling to find the best groups at the right times. She said the energy was there Friday night and things clicked. No one took a play off.
“They looked gassed today and, when we look that way, we give up and let people come back and think they can win. We didn’t have that last night,” Hickey said.
“Coming in today, we tried to keep the positive atmosphere, but we knew it would be tough. I’m proud of the way our girls battled and I wanted to get some other girls playing time, and we were able to do that.”
The Lady Hawks were coming off an emotional upset win over Holy Trinity Catholic on Friday and Hickey said she honestly had the girls focused this week on Mediapolis and Holy Trinity. Saturday’s game was more of a work session.
Bentley said games like Saturday’s are competitive and fun at the same time.
“These are the best games. When your team comes out and plays with that level of effort, attitude, energy, and toughness - good things happen,” he said.
“We didn’t have a scheme plan today. It was more of take care of our values and intangibles and non-negotiables and the rest will take care of itself.”
He said effort, attitude, and toughness are the non-negotiables the team has set. He said that also encompasses integrity and doing what you say you’re going to do, and then it just comes down to trusting each other and the staff.
The Lady Hounds have some momentum heading into a very busy week with four games in seven days. They have Keokuk Tuesday followed by Fairfield Friday and Holy Trinity on Saturday.
“We’re enjoying the day, but we’ll get into the film room and watch Keokuk, get after it a little bit in practice Monday, and get ready to go Tuesday,” Bentley said.
“Keokuk’s a great team and we haven’t had a chance to play them yet. They’re the last team in the conference to take on so we’ll be focused.
“Our group is having fun because we all love each other. It’s easier to play when you’re free spirited and doing your best, not feeling like you’re letting someone down. The way we are is next-play mentality. We turn the page. As long as you're making aggressive mistakes you’re doing well.”