Third Quarter Woes
Plague Lady Ghosts
By Hannah Becker

Lady Ghost Amanda Bowen dribbles down court, while teammate Shayne Reis keeps pace. Sad to say, Lyndon outpaced Randolph in the game for the win. (Herald /Tim Calabro)

The Randolph Lady Ghosts basketball team had a split week with two losses and one win. They lost to Lyndon and Harwood, and defeated Northfield.

Loss vs. Lyndon

The Lady Ghosts faced Lyndon at home on Thursday, coming away with a loss, 69-44. It started to go downhill right from the beginning. Randolph won the tap and got a lay-up from Hannah Becker on the first possession, but that was about it. Randolph didn’t box out and couldn’t score. Gwen Reis had two lay-ups but it wasn’t enough to salvage the Ghosts’ first quarter. Randolph was behind, 23-8, after one.

The second quarter was a little better but still not enough to bring the Ghosts back. The Ladies began to box out and get some much needed rebounds, allowing for easy lay-ups by sisters Gwen and Shayne Reis. Randolph also had some good outside shooting with jumpers from Amanda Bowen and Lindsay Smith. G. Reis also hit a trey. By the end of the half Lyndon was playing Randolph 4-5 and leaving someone in the backcourt for the easy layup. The Ghosts couldn’t adjust and Lyndon kept scoring on the fast break. Randolph was down at the half 38-21.

The third quarter saw jumpers from Arielle Connolly and Becker and layups from G. Reis and S. Reis. Randolph had nine turnovers and only six baskets. The Ghosts were down by 20, 54-34, going into the fourth.

The fourth quarter held no comeback for Randolph. The Ladies lost the game 69-44.

Scoring in the game were G. Reis with 20 points, S. Reis with 9, Becker and Connolly with 4 each, Bowen with 3, and Smith and Katie Jickling each had 2.

Win vs. Northfield

The Northfield Marauders traveled to Randolph on Saturday. The Ghosts won the previous match-up in Northfield and were looking for another much-needed win.

The first quarter was all Randolph from the opening tip, won by G. Reis, to the final buzzer. The Ghosts opened the game strong with good boxing out, tough defense and good shots. They limited their turnovers and got much-needed offensive rebounds that led to layups from G. Reis and Smith. Randolph won the quarter 12-4.

The second quarter was not as strong for Randolph. The Ghosts managed to put some points on the board but Northfield brought the game back to within two, 20-18. Baskets from Javon Miller, Jickling, Connolly, and G. Reis, kept Randolph ahead. The Ghosts were up by two, 28-26, after the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was crunch time. Randolph played tough defense and pulled out a press. Northfield had good ball movement and broke the press easily. The final quarter held many lead changes, but in the end it came down to foul shots. G. Reis was fouled with seconds left and Randolph only up by two. She made both her shots and gave Randolph a four-point lead with six seconds left. The Marauders managed to pull off a jumper at the buzzer, but it wasn’t enough. Randolph won the game 40-38.

Scoring for the ghosts were G. Reis with 16, Smith and Miller with 6 each, Jickling with 5, Connolly with 4, Ashley Chase with 2, and S. Reis with 1.

Loss vs. Harwood

The Randolph Ghosts needed a win home against Harwood on Tuesday to secure a spot in the playoffs. The Ghosts did that with a winning tip and tough defense. The Ghosts fell into a 1-3-1 zone that worked well against Harwood’s offense. Randolph also managed to draw fouls. Harwood’s starting point guard was on the bench before the first quarter was over with three fouls. Randolph took advantage and led at the end of the quarter 15-12.

The second quarter was also strong for Randolph; they had strong defense, good boxing out and went after every loose ball. Randolph managed to pull ahead by six due to great foul shooting. Randolph was 5-6 on the line in the second quarter. The Lady Ghosts led at the half, 29-23.

The third quarter was yet again Randolph’s downfall. Lazy defense and foul trouble allowed Harwood to score, while bad passes and poor ball rotation kept Randolph from scoring. Harwood outscored Randolph 14-4 and led at the end of the third, 37-35.

The Ghosts’ press didn’t hold up against Harwood’s quick ball rotation, and Randolph lost the game 58-47. After the loss Randolph position in the playoffs is unclear. They’re on the bubble and aren’t sure if they’ll get in or not.

Scoring in the game were G. Reis with 27, Miller with 7, Ashley Chase with 4, Connolly with 3, and S. Reis, Bowen, and Molly Harrness with 2 each.

Randolph faces Montpelier away on Thursday and Oxbow home on Tuesday. Lamoille comes to Randolph next Thursday for Senior Night. The Ladies would really appreciate your support, especially the seniors who deserve a full gym.