Southeastern ran into a physical and balanced Minford team on Saturday at Waverly. The Lady Panthers, despite great effort just couldn’t get it going, especially shooting the basketball against the changing Lady Falcon defenses.
Southeastern was just 13 of 55 from the floor and only 3 of 19 from the three-point line on the afternoon. Add 18 turnovers to 23 % shooting and the result was an uphill battle against the 24-1 Falcons.
The Lady Panthers jumped out 5-0, but Minford went on a 14-0 run to take early control. Minford led 34-19 at half and 50-30 after 3 quarters. The Lady Falcons shot 45% from the floor on 26 of 58 shots. The only chink in the Falcons game may be foul shooting where Minford was only 4 of 16.
Senior Ella Skeens finished her brilliant career with 23 points for the game, including 15 of the SE 20 second-half points. McKinley Mitten hit three trifectas for 9 points.
Minford got 22 from Ashland signee Erin Daniels and 19 from 6’3” junior Ashley Blankenship. Minford heads to the sweet 16 and a possible matchup with state power Africentric.
Southeastern says goodbye to 7 seniors who have been the cornerstone of the Lady Panther program and tremendous success on the court. Skeens, Mandy Morris, Rachel Collins, Mitten, Hunter Adams, Anna Evans, and Kaitlyn Harper were praised and thanked by coach Mike Adams on the post-game broadcast.
“This group has 90 plus wins, championships, and have left their mark on Southeastern basketball," said Adams. "I love them all.”
Southeastern: Skeens 23; Collins 4; M Mitten 9; Hice 3Minford: Daniels 22; Puckett 4; Risner 5; Blankenship 19; Slusher 5; Shonkwiler 2; Doll 2
Hear the full play-by-play from Saturday's game below.