Tigers fade in loss to ACH

ODESSA - Hayden Schuh scored 11 quick points for the Tigers in their NE1B girls basketball matchup with Almira/Coulee-Hartline, but that wasn't enough as the Warriors' smothering defense took over the game en route to their 60-38 win Saturday, Dec. 16.

Schuh started the game on fire. In the opening minutes, she hit three 3-points shots and made a lay-in, accounting for all of her team's 11 first quarter points.

The Warriors countered with a balanced offense as four players scored, giving them a 13-11 lead.

In the second quarter, Schuh's shooting cooled but fellow senior Melloney Deife picked up the slack by scoring five points, one of which was a long 3-pointer.

Schuh scored 13 first-half points and the Warriors' Beth Okamoto scored nine as ACH went into the locker room leading 28-24.

ACH's defense dominated the second half. The Warriors' full court press made it difficult for the Tigers to get the ball across half court.

When they did, ACH's trapping defense caused errant passes that resulted in easy Warrior baskets. ACH outscored Odessa 32-14 in the second half and cruised to a 60-38 win.

"Their pressure got to us a little," Odessa head coach Travis Schuh said. "We work on handling it, but sometimes at game time, our emotions get to us."

Schuh and Deife led the Tigers in scoring with 19 and 10 points, respectively. Schuh also pulled down 11 rebounds.

Okamoto scored 21 points for the Warriors.

Despite the loss, coach Schuh noted positives in his team's play.

"I liked what I saw in the second quarter," he said. "We played better defense, moved the ball well and started hitting shots. I'd like to see us play that way for the entire game."

The loss dropped Odessa to 3-3. ACH improved to 4-3.

Odessa bounced back from its loss with an easy 59-36 win over Entiat at the Moses Lake Christian Academy Tournament Tuesday, Dec. 19 behind Schuh's 24 points and 13 rebounds and Ashley Zagelow's 12 points.

Odessa played Bridgeport in another Tournament game after press time Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The Tigers next game will be at home against Wellpinit Friday, Jan. 5.