Southmont’s girls basketball team enters tonight’s home match-up with North Montgomery on a three-game winning streak over the Chargers, and will start their quest for a third-straight county title.
Last season the two teams combined for just nine wins, but both the Mounties and Chargers have responded with turnaround campaigns so far this season.
North Montgomery enters the county tilt at 9-7, and are allowing just 40.4 points per game, while Southmont is 8-7 on the season.
“North is a great defensive team,” Southmont coach Dustin Oakley said. “Their defensive average is great and they make it difficult offensively.”
Scoring points has been the biggest concern for the Chargers, and turnovers are the usual culprit — which lead to losses. North Montgomery is averaging just 28.4 points per game in their seven losses.
“They (Southmont) are going for a three-peat now for the county championship,” North Montgomery coach Ryan Nuppnau said. “We just have to come out and play smart and handle the ball, and we will be fine. And we’ve got to knock down some shots.”
Junior post player Sidney Veatch leads the Mounties with 12.7 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game, but Oakley also feels taking care of the basketball will be the key for a Southmont victory.
“We have to take care of the ball in whatever way possible, and we have to play solid defense against them,” he said. “We have to be more disciplined with our possessions and we are going to have to shoot well, especially from the line.”
Southmont is averaging 26.4 turnovers a game.
Journal Review County Chase points will be on the line at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Southmont.
