LINDEN — North Montgomery girls basketball is in the midst of a rebuilding season. A young team with plenty of growth to be had. On Thursday the Chargers hosted the Covington Trojans looking to end a four game losing streak. For much of three quarters the visiting Trojans controlled the game leading 25-19 heading into the final eight minutes. Then the Chargers found some offense and were also able to get some points at the free-throw line as they led 33-32 with 2:03 remaining. In the end though Covington made enough plays down the stretch to hold on for a 39-35 win.
For the game North Montgomery was able to get to the free-throw line but struggled to convert going 14-25 from the charity stripe. Covington was equally as poor going 14-30. The difference, while small in the game, was the Trojans made two more field goals than the Chargers and turned it over 12 fewer times. Charger coach Ryan Nuppnau knows those small details can make all the difference in a close game.
“Those little things start right there at the free-throw line,” he said. “If we make some more at the line then we don’t have to foul at the end of the game which allowed them to score more points themselves. We’re still struggling with simple things like passing and catching with the ball fumblindg right through our hands. It’s those little things combined with the fundamentals that are giving us fits.”
For the game the Chargers shot 10-32 (31%) and committed 24 turnovers, 18 of which came in the first half. Their only made three of the game came on a last second shot at the end of the second quarter from Blair Nichols. The Trojans shot 12-46 (26%) for the game, but only committed 15 turnovers while also only making a single three pointer.
“We have to remind ourselves sometimes that we’re a young team,” Nuppnau said. “We had one one of seniors (Madison Banta) injured then you combine that tonight with a couple of our other seniors (Jadelyn Phillips and Maely Gaskin) getting in foul trouble so we were playing a lot of sophomores and freshman at the end. Their not used to those tigh late game situations just yet.”
Sophomore Piper Ramey led all scorers in the loss with 13 points, nine of which came from the free-throw line as Ramey herself went 9-18 from the line. Freshman Macee Norman added in 12 points to go along with 13 rebounds. Phillips added six while Nichols ended with four.
Covington (3-4) had eight different players that scored in the win as sophomore Sydni Crain had 11 for the Trojans. Emma Holycross and Brooke Kirkpatrick both scored six, Peyton Brown five, Kali Pettit four, Alex Sutherlin three, and Magdalena Sandlin with two.
Despite the loss, the Chargers have scored 30+ points in back-to-back games (31 against Faith Christian). Nuppnau has been pleased with the progression of his offense as of late.
“We’re starting to put points on the board which is nice to see,” he said. “I also really liked that we only turned it over six times in that second half. That’s a huge positive for us because it allows to set up our offense. A lot of that comes down to knowing our offense and knowing what we’re supposed to be doing as well as being confident with the ball. There’s still some things we need to learn but when we do things will start clicking.”
North Montgomery falls to 2-8 on the year with the loss and will be back in action on Tuesday on the road against SAC rival Tri-West. The schedule does ease up for the Chargers who will play just three times in the next two weeks. After Tri-West next Tuesday they’ll travel to West Lafayette on Dec. 13 before hosting Crawfordsville on Dec. 16.
