Lady Knights outshoot Cougars
By Rex Overholser

Carroll's Lady Cougars went down with a fight. They fell to the powerful Lady Knights of Central Catholic in their 1-A sectional game by a score of 45-30. The Lady Knights had a game plan and they executed it with perfection. Their strategy was simple - everyone on the floor had the green light to shoot 3 pointers and to defend Carroll's Krystal Brazel for the entire game. The Knights' game plan looked stressed in the first quarter as they only hit 3 shots on trepid shooting. The Cougars came out and led 6-2 with some hustling and 7 rebounds in the first quarter. The game looked like the Cougars had a chance, trailing 7- 6 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Carroll's main shooting weapon being challenged everywhere on the court by CC's Grace Walker and Sarah Burks. Their assignment was to play full court defense and not let Brazel open for a shot. Brazel begin to tire early in the second quarter and became frustrated. CC soon got into its offensive mode with Alison Roberts, Walker and Katie Pechin hitting deadly 3 pointers to give the Knights a 24-16 lead at the end of the second quarter.

Coach Salmon of the Knights made a few adjustments to try to stop Jaime McCarter and Abby Reinke from adding to Carroll's offensive mix in the third quarter.

The result was McCarter showing her strong athletic talents and speed penetrate into the paint and get fouled. McCarter (14) proceeded to be the bright light for the Cougars with 10 of 12 free throw shooting and two drive in layups. She played an excellent overall game with few turnovers.

Reinke (9) was creating offensive movement with lay ins near the basket as she was paying attention to what McCarter was doing on the floor. This quarter saw Roberts hit 3 of 3 from the 3-point area and end the game 5 of 5, all on 3 pointers. Walker led CC in overall play with 14 points on key shooting.

The game ended with the Knights having completed their orders successfully, holding Brazel to no points for the 45-30 win.

Carroll ended a frustrating season winless in 2007, to finish the season with a record of 6-15 and brighter hopes for the future. The Lady Cougars move to 2-A sectional play next year so the schedule will change and the future of the program will be moving to larger school competition.

The Knights face Clinton Prairie in the finals of the Frontier sectional.