The Community R-6 girls were a different team this time around against Wellsville-Middletown. On Friday night in the third-place game of the New Franklin Tournament, the Lady Trojans defeated district foe Wellsville 63-54 after losing 41-34 in the Lady Tigers' gym in Community's second game of the season.
At halftime, Community (8-5) did trail 29-24 but corrected that quickly with a 21-8 third quarter and by finishing 18-26 from the free-throw line in the second half and outrebounding Wellsville (5-6) 40-27. Four Lady Trojans scored in double figures and four had at least seven rebounds, including Kylie Brooks with 20 points and 12 rebounds, Brooklynn Glasgow with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Peyton Beamer with 11 points and eight rebounds, Alyssa Beamer with 11 points and three 3-pointers, and Aaliyah Welch with seven rebounds. Wellsville was led by Bethany Slovensky's 14 points.
"Sometimes we don't outscore our opponents, but we typically outrebound our opponents," head coach Bob Curtis said. "If we don't shoot it well, it's energy and effort so go get a loose ball, get two or three shots and eventually we'll get a better shot around the rim."
Brooks also had five steals and was 8-for-9 from the free-throw line, shooting all but one free throw in the second half. She said the Lady Trojan offense has been different overall during this recent stretch of six wins in eight games (two losses being in overtime) and was definitely different in the second half on Friday.
"Our patience on our offense can make a tremendous difference in our game," Brooks said. "If we hurry around, pass the ball and we immediately shoot, it does do damage. Just being patient and waiting for the ball to get to the right spot at the right time and shooting when it's time to shoot, it helps our team a lot."
Community (2-1 CAC) plays at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Central Activities Conference foe Madison (2-9, 0-4 CAC) and owns a win over the Panthers this season 67-12.
Look for the full story in the Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, edition of the Mexico Ledger.
