GDW Analysis:
TRINITY: Reagan Robinson gave the Vinemont Lady Eagles hope for a victory Monday in the West Morgan Classic when she scored a FG as time expired in their meeting vs. Decatur.
However, Decatur got the momentum from the start of the extra period and upset the No. 9 team in Class 3A by the final of 70 to 61.
Vinemont at times Monday, played well like the team that had 11 wins out of 14 games coming into the finale of this classic.
Other times as well, the Lady Eagles struggled handling Decatur's quickness from its guard personnel, turning the ball at least 20 times, missing 7 FTs between the 4th and OT and failing to protect a 7 point lead late in the battle.
A four game winning streak was done to a Decatur unit that was looking for revenge against a 3A school from Cullman County.
The Red Raiders had been defeated soundly by Holly Pond on November 26 at Wallace State. Decatur used the scoring tandem of junior guard Jennifer Mitchell and junior forward Jadience Smith who combined for 44 points Monday, 30 in the 2nd half.
Mitchell hit a three from the baseline to end the first half and send Decatur to the locker room with a 26 to 24 advantage.
Vinemont looked good in the 3rd with a 21 point outburst as Caroline Miller had 8 in the stanza, Vayda Yarbrough 4 and Robinson with 6 to move in front at 45 to 39.
In the middle of the 4th. a three by Morgan Flanagan pushed the margin to 54 to 47 with it looking like Emily Willoughby's Lady Eagles had enough strength to finish off a comeback triumph.
When Vinemont failed to convert a pair of FTs after a Decatur technical foul and a couple of miscues, Decatur would go on a 10 to 1 run and lead 57 to 55 in the final seconds of regulation.
The Lady Eagles executed an out of bounds to Robinson who converted a shot off the glass before the horn sounded to create 4 extra minutes to decide the winner.
Decatur quickly scored 7 points as Mitchell had 7 in the OT and Vinemont could not maintain consistency from 33 points they had scored in the final half.
The win for Decatur improved its season mark to 8 & 9.
Vinemont is now 11 & 4 as they await the first game of January at home Friday vs. Susan Moore.
Robinson produced 15 for the Lady Eagles, Addison Holcomb had 13 in a fine role off the bench, Miller got 13, Flanagan 7, Yarbrough 6, Carley Stephens 3 and Arleigh Thomason with 2.
GDW photo of the Vinemont bench Monday vs. Decatur at the West Morgan classic.
Photo by Johnny Thornton.
