Lane scores 18 as Eagle girls down Cougars, 53-44

Wednesday, Jan. 23 | By Fred Hodge

Host Liberty was definitely in attack mode against Kettle Run Tuesday night. The hosts sank 18 of 35 free throws in a 53-44 girls basketball win that further defined the pecking order in the Evergreen District.

Led by 18 points from freshman Ashley Lane and eight blocks by Kiana Smith, the Eagles improved to 7-9 oveall and 3-1 in district play and remain tied with Warren County (3-1) for first place, followed by Brentsville (2-2), Kettle Run (1-3) and Fauquier (1-3).

"We were attacking them and drawing fouls," said LHS coach Ashton Mitchell, whose team drew 25 fouls on Kettle Run (and made just eight themselves).

Kettle Run (5-10) came in fresh off beating Fauquier and sought to defeat the three-time reigning district champion Eagles for the first time in school history (which dates back to 2008).

"We're not holding our heads down. We did some good things," said coach Sarah Ventresco.

The Cougars began the game well, establishing a 14-9 lead on Addy Foudray's layup with 2:24 left in the first quarter.

India Turner helped the Eagles close the deficit to 16-15 at quarter's end. Liberty then seized command in the second quarter by outscoring Kettle Run 15-6 to lead 30-22 at the break.

"The second quarter didn't help," Ventresco said. "We struggled running our halfcourt offense against the man-to-man."

"We were much more aggressive," Mitchell said.

Liberty maintained its eight-point margin after the third quarter, leading 42-34.

Powered by eight fourth quarter points from senior Melissa McCann (14 points), Kettle Run made several charges down the stretch. McCann's layup with 1:28 to go cut Liberty's lead to 50-44, but the Cougars did not score again as Turner's three free throws accounted for the final score.

Freshman Emily Yergin scored 12 points for the Cougars.

Bidding to four-peat as district champs, the Eagles have four district games to go, including a rematch with Warren County on Feb. 1 in Bealeton.

"We just take it one game at a time, one quarter at a time," said Turner. "You can't worry if you have a bad quarter. We just pick up the intensity and play our game."

Kettle Run also has four district games left, including a rematch with Liberty on Feb. 5.

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