After going 1-1 at the Dixie Blue and Gold tourney to conclude 2015, falling 45-34 to Enterprise and beating Dixie 50-45, the Lady Red Devils struggled to get going at home versus Monticello on Tuesday, Jan. 5, falling 43-28.
Grand had impressive scoring distribution against Dixie as senior Talaunee Croasmun scored 17 points, senior Symony Call had 12, freshman Hannah Owen had 10 and freshman Veda Gritts had 8, but they couldn’t carry over their momentum against the Buckaroos, mustering just 4 first-quarter points. Turnovers plagued the offense and Monticello was a step ahead down the floor versus the Grand defense.
“There has to be a buy in by all team members to run the offense and not get frustrated causing turnovers,” Grand girls basketball coach Raye Lyne Robertson said. “All team members need to be willing to get the ball to the open person with the highest percentage shot to take. That has been spotty for us this year.”
Grand got a little bit of offense going in the second quarter, but it was matched by the Buckaroos, who extended their lead from 9-4 to 23-16 by halftime. Top offensive threat Croasmun assisted Grand’s first three buckets, but didn’t attempt a shot of her own until midway through the second quarter.
Grand and Monticello played evenly through the third quarter, before Monticello reclaimed momentum in the fourth, steadily pulling away for the 43-28 win. Freshman Veda Gritts scored 9 points to lead Grand, followed by Croasmun with 7 and Call with 6. The Buckaroos had a 7-point edge at the free throw line, going 12-for-23 while Grand went 5-for-17. Junior Katie McKay fouled out midway through the fourth quarter and Croasmun fouled out three seconds before the final buzzer.
Despite a few lapses of getting beat down the court for easy buckets, Robertson said she believes the Lady Red Devils are making strides defensively.
“Progress has been made by this young team,” she said. “They have learned to pressure the ball and create turnovers when at the beginning of the year we could not put any pressure on other teams.”
Grand has one more non-region game, which is scheduled to take place Saturday, Jan. 9, at 3:30 p.m., at home versus Maesar Preparatory Academy. After that, the Lady Red Devils begin region play at home versus Emery on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.
“With region play coming we need to focus on lowering our turnovers, and improving our shooting percentage,” Robertson said. “We will continue to become more aggressive and sharpen the fine points of our offense.”
Grand struggles on both ends against Buckaroos
What: Grand girls basketball versus Maesar Preparatory Academy
When: Saturday, Jan. 9, at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Grand County High School, 608 S. 400 East
What: Grand girls basketball versus Emery
When: Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.
Where: Grand County High School, 608 S. 400 East
Progress has been made by this young team. They have learned to pressure the ball and create turnovers when at the beginning of the year we could not put any pressure on other teams.
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