Vandalia girls fall at Hillsboro

By Editor | December 23, 2014 |

HILLSBORO — The Vandalia Lady Vandals were looking for some payback.
It didn't happen.
Hillsboro pulled away late for a 56-43 win over Vandalia on Monday night in girls basketball action.
The Lady Vandals were behind right away, but were within striking distance until the hosts went on a big run early in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
"I thought we had some defensive breakdowns and we turned the ball over a couple times because we weren't focused," Vandalia Coach Michelle McNary said of the key game-changing stretch. "We had some unforced turnovers that we just can't have. It's frustrating. We're having some mental lapses. At times, we look so good. At times, we look young. We seem to make mistakes at costly times."
Vandalia was shorthanded for the game, as Karlie Bright did not play due to a lingering foot injury.

"Karlie not being there is huge," McNary said. "I decided not to play her just to be safe. I'd rather have her for the Mattoon Tournament."
Leah Francis scored 15 points to lead the Lady Vandals. Emma Meyer added 14 points, Makayla Tinker had 12 and Jalea Paslay had two.
Hillsboro had just defeated Vandalia on Dec. 11, 54-45. The Lady Vandals fell to 5-6 overall with the loss.
"This is a fun group to coach, and I know we could have won some of the games we've lost," McNary said. "We'll bounce back."
The Lady Hiltoppers led, 14-8, after one period of play. Hillsboro led, 23-10, when the Lady Vandals went on an 8-0 run, cutting the deficit to 23-18. McNary credited Anna Miller and Elizabeth Miller for coming off the bench and playing well during the stretch. But the hosts scored four straight for a 27-18 halftime lead. Vandalia stayed close early in third period, but Hillsboro went on an 8-0 run to pull away. The Hiltoppers led, 43-31, entering the fourth quarter. Hillsboro took advantage of some VCHS turnovers and pulled away early in the fourth period. Hillsboro also shot well from the floor and took a 54-32 lead with five minutes to play. Tinker scored six straight for the Vandals, but Hillsboro's lead was never in jeopardy late.
Kerriann Cooper scored 16 and Maddie Miller added 14 for Hillsboro (10-3).
Vandalia's girls will begin play at the Mattoon Tournament on Dec. 26. Vandalia plays MacArthur on Friday at 1 p.m. and then turns around and plays St. Anthony at 6 p.m. The Vandals will meet Mattoon on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. They'll finish the tourney on Monday, Dec. 29.

Hillsboro 56, Vandalia 43
VA 8 10 13 12 — 43
HI 14 14 16 13 — 56
Vandalia: Leah Francis 5 5-9 15, Emma Meyer 6 2-2 14, Makayla Tinker 5 2-2 12, Madelyn Hosick 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Swain 0 0-0 0, Elizabeth Miller 0 0-0 0, Anna Miller 0 0-0 0, Jalea Paslay 1 0-0 2, Haley Cannon 0 0-0 0, Olivia Marquardt. Totals 17 (0) 9-13 43. Three-pointers: None.
Hillsboro: Durbin 2 0-0 4, Traylor 1 0-0 2, Storm 1 2-4 4, Cameron 3 0-0 7, Cooper 6 2-2 16, Halleman 3 0-0 9, Miller 7 0-2 14. Totals 17 (6) 4-9 56. Three-pointers: Halleman 3, Cooper 2, Cameron.