Local Sports

Lady Colts fall to Logan

Early deficit too much for PB to overcome in first-ever state tourney

CHARLESTON -- An early deficit was too much for seventh-seed Philip Barbour to overcome as No. 2 Logan claimed a 62-44 victory in Class AAA quarterfinal play Wednesday afternoon at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

Making their first-ever appearance in the girls state tourney, the Lady Colts fell behind 9-0 to start the game before Braylyn Sparks drained a 3-pointer to get PB on the board with 3:52 left in the first quarter.

Jumpers by Mattie Marsh and Sparks later in the frame cut the deficit to 12-9 but the Lady Wildcats reeled off six straight points to lead 18-9 after the first quarter.

The advantage for Logan grew to 16 points, at 26-10, with 5:48 to play in the first half after a 3-pointer by Halle Crouse.

The Lady Colts then turned up the defense, holding the Lady Wildcats without a field goal until Addyson Amick hit a trey with just 1:02 remaining in the quarter to make it 33-16.

However, Philip Barbour carried some momentum into the break on consecutive baskets by Marsh to trail 33-20 at the intermission.

The Lady Colts continued to climb back into the game to start the second half as Sara Simon's score inside and Sparks' jumper cut the deficit to 33-24 with 5:38 left in the third quarter.

But Logan reestablished a double-digit lead on its next possession on a trey by Crouse and Philip Barbour came no closer the remainder of the game.

The Lady Wildcats led by as many as 24 points in final quarter before the Lady Colts closed the game on a 6-0 surge.

Philip Barbour forced 24 turnovers in the game, including 17 steals. However, shooting from 3-point range played a toll as Logan was 9-of-18 beyond the arc and the Lady Colts were just 1-of-11.

"It's hard shooting in here," Philip Barbour coach Rick Mouser said of the Coliseum & Convention Center. "Our game relies on creating turnovers and getting easy baskets and we were able to do some of that in the second half.

"When you play hard, good things happen. I don't think that was any different (for us) today. We would have loved to win the game, but that was a good team we played."

Crouse took game-high honors with 20 points. The freshman was 4-of-8 from 3-point line.

Natalie Blankenship chipped in 19 points, five assists and six steals and all-state guard Peyton Ilderton, who was plagued by foul trouble, contributed 10 points, 11 below her average, along with five assists and five steals.

Marsh came off the bench to net 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds in the loss. Sparks chipped in 12 points and five steals.

Logan (23-2) advances to face another Big 10 Conference squad, third-seed North Marion, at 11:15 a.m. in Friday's semifinals.

Philip Barbour ended the season 14-9 and loses just one senior, Sara Simon, to graduation.

"Really proud of these girls," Mouser said. "All year they've got through it on guts and played hard, and that continued today."

Philip Barbour (14-9)

Leah Montgomery 0 1-2 1, Averi Carpenter 2 1-2 5, Mattie Marsh 5 1-3 11, Braylyn Sparks 4 3-4 12, Arrington Sparks 2 1-3 5, Carli Cvechko 1 0-0 2, Sara Simon 1 0-0 2, Cheyenne Kittle 1 0-0 2, LaDonna Herron 0 0-0 0, Jorjalynn Ward 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 7-20 44

Logan (23-2)

Natalie Blankenship 7 4-4 19, Addyson Amick 1 0-0 3, Abbie Myers 1 2-2 4, Mika Dalton 2 1-3 6, Halle Crouse 6 4-4 20, Peyton Ilderton 3 2-5 10. Totals 20 13-21 62

Philip Barbour 9 11 12 12 -- 44

Logan 18 15 13 16 -- 62

3-point goals: Philip Barbour 1 (B. Sparks), Logan 9 (Crouse 4, Ilderton 2, Blankenship, Amick and Dalton)