Grace Sturgell spearheads Lakewood’s sticky defense against Maysville
HEBRON — Grace Sturgell had to breathe a sigh of relief after she swished her first jumper of the third quarter, but the junior already had done plenty for the Lakewood girls basketball team.
Sturgell’s shot was not where she wanted it Wednesday, but she has taken a lead role for the Lancers’ defense this season. Sturgell recorded four blocks, several deflections and caused a 10-second violation during a 50-26 victory against visiting Maysville (2-8).
“Shots aren’t going to fall every night, and she has to do all of the other things — the rebounding, the steals, defending their best player,” coach Rob Compton said.
Sophomore Charlee Palmer scored 11 of her game-high 16 points in the first quarter, pushing Lakewood (5-5) to an early 9-0 lead, but the defensive end is where the Lancers made their mark. They did not allow a field goal until the final minute of the first quarter.
It was defense again that led Lakewood to breaking open the game in the second quarter. The Lancers led 16-8 when they bookended the half with another 9-0 surge.
“It’s just something that’s changed over the years because you have to make up for your offense, and you just have to be smart with what you have,” said Sturgell, who picked up a steal and layup immediately following her long 2-point jumper to open the third quarter.
“Against Newark Catholic and Johnstown (earlier this season), they are 6-foot tall and have a foot on you, but you just have to fight and be really aggressive,” she added.
In a game that ran a bit ragged particularly in the first half, Maysville had opportunities to close the gap. Junior Emily Lawson hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 12-6 late in the first quarter before Palmer scored on a drive at the other end.
The Panthers were playing hard defensively in the second quarter as junior Ashtyn Merto and freshman Bella VanWey each recorded blocks inside, but they managed just a basket from freshman Miley Fulkerson. The Lancers then took control as freshman Jaylie Maas banked in a 3 and later hit junior Becca Streets for a layup on a pick and roll.
“We see that happen quite often with them when we start to bend a little bit because we are not scoring, and then eventually they give out,” said Maysville coach Bill Crane, who has no seniors and just three juniors in the program.
“That’s something that we are trying to build — the mental capacity, but when you are playing so many freshmen and sophomores, it’s tough,” he added. “We are trying to keep them positive as we move forward.”
Palmer finished off her 16-point performance in the second half with a putback. Palmer has shown the ability during the first half of the season to drive from the high post, and on Wednesday, she frequently posted and drew four fouls.
“There is a huge maturation process with (Palmer),” Compton said. “She is starting to see teams focusing on her because she is our top scorer right now. She is doing a really good job of handling that and doing what she has to do in the games to succeed.”
Senior Addison Pound matched Sturgell and Maas with six points each. Ten players reached the scoring column, including senior McKenna Clem inside and junior Avery Thompson on a 3-pointer both off assists from Maas in the fourth quarter.
Fulkerson scored 10 of her team-high 12 points, including a pair of 3s, for the Panthers in the fourth quarter, and Lawson added five. The Panthers have been held to 20 points or fewer six times as they battle in the rugged Muskingum Valley League, but Crane sees light at the end of the tunnel.
“We are trying to get them to learn how to compete and expect more, have expectations,” Crane said. “We have groups that are not used to winning and are not sure how to win. When you have a freshman that comes in and knocks in 12 points, that’s a big confidence boost for her, and we are hoping that starts sparking some of the other girls as well.”
Lakewood rebounded from difficult losses to Newark Catholic and Big Walnut. The Lancers will see Licking County League-Cardinal Division foe Utica in early January before rematches with Northridge and Heath.
Compton substituted early and often on Wednesday. Lakewood wants to play at an up-tempo pace, so the Lancers need contributions from players throughout the lineup.
“The bench matches the intensity,” Sturgell said. “There are no breaks with us. If one person gets subbed out, the next person is going to bring so much more energy to the team.”
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