Lady Warhawks see standouts on both ends in dispatch of Sumter County

KATHLEEN — Veterans (8-15) has one more regular season game to go after a 55-38 win over Sumter County (15-5), and things are starting to shape up.

Monday’s final marked the Lady Warhawks’ second straight win, and both were fueled by an inspired defensive effort.

Veterans’ ability to score off of turnovers separated them from the Lady Panthers, who struggled to get back after a takeaway.

Freshman Simone Sadler was the trigger.

“I don’t know how many steals or deflections she had but she played some really phenomenal defense on their ball handlers,” Head coach Tracy Fendley said. “I think the other girls fed off of her intensity to be honest with you, and she’s a freshman.”

Her spark ignited a flame that carried the Lady ‘Hawks to victory, one that was all but sealed before the final period was even halfway over.

“We scored a lot off of our defense today. We always play well when we play good defense…it is something that we can lean on going into the playoffs,” Fendley said.

Both teams struggled to take a lead larger than three or four points through most of the opening half. Sumter County’s first-quarter offense mostly came from a three-pointer (and another long jumper ruled a two-pointer) and some transition baskets.

That continued into the second quarter, and the only thing that gave Veterans some space at the half was a pair of triples in the final two minutes.

Francesca Jones hit one, but Camila Vicioso hit the other to complement her 22-point night.

If Sadler was the trigger, Vicioso was the kill switch to help shut down any hope for the Lady Panthers.

Vicioso had a rough outing on Friday against Thomas County Central. The kind where even your close baskets seem to roll every which way but in.

She responded on Monday with a game-high 22 points that came at every level. A triad of shots beyond the arc, mid-range jumpers and anything close to the rim — she couldn’t be denied. Half of her points came in the third quarter as the Lady ‘Hawks took the first double digit lead for either team 34-23 with 3:48 to go until the fourth.

“The ability to bounce back is huge. To have a bad game and then come back and lead us in scoring, and really, that’s her role,” Fendley said. “Her role is to score and rebound. She’s so long, she gets deflections and steals. She’s a very versatile basketball player.”

“She can guard a guard, she can play guard, she can play post,” she continued. “I think she’s just gotta get more confident in [her role]. Off our inbounds plays she was unstoppable.”

Veterans led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter, though some late free throws slimmed the margin.

UP NEXT

Veterans finishes the regular season with a home game against Northside on Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.

Sumter County will finish their two-game road trip on Feb. 3 against Jordan.