Free throw shooting is proving costly for the Solanco girls basketball team. The Mules misfired on 12 of their 20 attempts Saturday in a 42-41 loss to the hosts in the consolation game of the Warwick Holiday Tournament. The poor foul shooting prevented Solanco from icing the game and Warwick's Rylee Derr buried a go-ahead three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining. Solanco missed a shot on its final possession and was not able to foul before time expired.
"We missed a bunch of foul shots late which could've sealed the game," coach Chad McDowell said. "It continues to be our Achilles' Heel. It's something we've been working on and we will continue to work on it. They have to trust their shot and have to believe in their mind they're going to make it." All-Tournament Team selection Rachel Trout recorded 14 points, three assists, three rebounds and three steals. Nikki Boultinghouse collected eight points and 15 rebounds. Haley Conklin contributed eight points and two steals. Jen Eberly had four points and four rebounds and did a solid job defending Derr for the second time this season. Taylor Stitz supplied four points, four rebounds, and three steals. "It was close the whole way just like the first meeting (which Solanco won 50-48 on December 15)," McDowell said. The Mules led for a majority of the second half but never by more than five points. Wilson topped Solanco 59-31 in the tournament opener Friday night. "Wilson is a state contender every year," said McDowell. They have a quality team, a real solid team." Wilson led 19-4 at the end of the first quarter and 37-10 at halftime. "Our inexperience showed early in the game," McDowell said. "We weren't ready to play but stepped up in the second half." Trout paced the Mules with eight points, four steals and three rebounds. Stitz provided six points and four boards. Conklin registered five points, two steals and two rebounds. Megan Yannutz had four points and four rebounds and Paige Borcky added three points. On Tuesday, December 23, Solanco lost 39-36 to section rival Conestoga Valley. The Mules used a 9-2 third quarter run to take a 26-24 lead. Solanco missed a potential game-tying three-pointer. ""They played well the entire game," McDowell said of his squad. "We should've pulled it out at the end but it still comes down to inexperience. We still have to learn how to win the close games. It's a process. We'll continue to work on it. Hopefully, down the stretch these learning experiences will pay off." Trout had 12 points, six rebounds and five steals. Yannutz added 10 points and five rebounds. Boultinghouse chipped in five points and five rebounds. Stitz accumulated four points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Mules return to action Friday night when they host Lebanon. Comments are closed.
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