ARCANUM – The Lady Trojans bolted out to a 25-5 first quarter, and a 44-12 first half lead as they were firing from all over against visiting Preble Shawnee. Arcanum went on to win 65-21.
Arcanum senior and leading scorer Caroline Long often draws the attention of the opposing teams defense with her ability to score inside but the Trojans were able to take advantage of junior guard Adalyn Paul who had the hot hand in the first half dropping in 6 – triples for 18 points to help the Trojans build a big first half lead.
Paul hit her first three at 4:57 after Long, Ella Flatter and Matte Noe had lay-ups to start the game and Arcanum went up 9-0.
The Arrows finally got on the board on a short corner jumper from sophomore Jenna Dixon at 4:40.
Long answered with an old-fashion 3-point play, a free throw from Addie Macy then three consecutive triples, two from Paul and another from Noe, pushed the lead to 23-2.
Shawnee senior guard Abrey Unger broke the 14-point run with a triple of her own, but the Trojans added a fielder from junior Danicka Michael for a 25-5 first quarter lead.
Paul added three more trey’s and had the crowd on their feet every time she let one fly in the second period.
Senior guard Ava Apking who picked up 3 quick fouls early scored 3-points, Unger and Dixon both added field goals for the Arrows who would trail 44-12 at the break.
For coach Abbey Moore it was a welcome relief to have a nice lead at the half. They came into the game with a 2-3 record, some of that by design with the non-conference schedule the Trojans have had to start the year.
“It almost feels like we’ve played a full 22 game season already with the type of games you typically play towards the end of the year,” Abbey stated.
The Trojan losses came against powerhouse teams, Russia, Versailles and Fort Loramie and then big back-to-back wins against Minster and Ansonia.
“The tough schedule is getting us to the point where we are now. Obviously, we’re not where we want to be, but you know, it’s going to help us … and the win against Minster (who knocked arcanum from the regional tournament last year) and a tough Ansonia team in overtime, is proof of that,” Moore commented.
Abbey was happy to see Adalyn Paul provide a spark on offense in the first half.
“She was hot and I think that was huge, giving us some confidence and shows you can’t just key in on one player, if you leave her open, you’re going to be in trouble,” Moore smiled.
The school record for three’s in a game is 8 at Arcanum and with a running clock in the 2nd half, Paul would get a few more attempts from range each time amping up the crowd hoping to see the record fall. Paul wasn’t able to connect in the second half, but she would lead all scorers in the game with 18.
Arcanum won the third quarter 12-4 and the fourth 9-5 to record a 65-21 win and improve to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in the WOAC.
Although Preble Shawnee didn’t win Anitra Roell wasn’t upset and is positive about the game and the Arrows season so far.
“I’m not upset with how the season’s going we’re sitting at 3-3 on the year now. Last year we finished with six wins and we’re halfway there now just a quarter of the way into the season,” Roell stated.
“Unfortunately for us, Tri-Village and Arcanum are at the top of our schedule, so hopefully the schedule gets easier as we go. The girls played somewhat better tonight in the first half than they did the second and generally we turn things around in the second half,” Roell added.
“Abbey, (coach Moore) has her team playing well defensively and my team was not fast enough tonight. Normally, we’re fast, but tonight we could not keep up with the Trojan girls,” Roell explained.
“Right now, we’re just trying to instill some confidence in the girls, because they don’t think they can beat these teams. We tell them every day we walk in the gym that we can win because I believe in them,” Roell concluded.
Things appear to be going in the right direction for the Arrow who have a JV team this year along with a full varsity roster. Most nights their speed, athleticism and defense will be enough to compete and as the offense gets better maybe even a few upsets.
Arcanum will be looking to do the same with no relief in sight with their schedule with Newton on Saturday, Tri-Village on the 23rd, the Covington Holiday tournament on 29th and 30th and then at Mississinawa Valley on January 3rd.
Box Scores:
Score by Quarters
PS … 05 … 07 … 04 … 05 – 21
AR … 25 … 19 … 12 … 09 – 65
Team Scoring:
PS: Unger 1-1-0/0 – 5, Apking 0-3-1/2 – 7, Dixon 0-3-0/0 – 6, Moore 0-1-0/0 – 2,
Mondello 0-0-1/2 – 1, Totals 1-8-2/4 – 21
AR: Paul 6-0-0/0 – 18, Leeper 0-2-0/0 – 4, Long 0-6-3/4 – 15, Noe 2-0-5/6 – 11,
Flatter 0-1-2/2 – 4, Macy 0-1-2/4 – 4, Michael 0-4-1/2 – 9, Totals 8-14-13/17 – 65
