ASHLAND – From the opening tip, Renee Holt knew her Ashland girls would be in for a challenge unlike any they’ve faced this season.
Hosting Harvest Prep, ranked No. 3 in Division VI per MaxPreps, the Arrows quickly found out they’d be playing basketball at a track meet with the Warriors’ up-tempo play style and athleticism.
“I knew there were just a complete basketball team,” Holt said. “They had posts down low and shooters outside, this was just a good game to prepare us for the tournament.”
Those shooters made their presence felt early hitting all seven of their 3s in the first half to build a lead the Arrows could never catch in a 68-55 final, just their second loss of the season.
“That’s just what we do, we practice it all the time,” Harvest Prep coach David Dennis Sr. said. “Today was just a good day.”
Janay Carter, one of the top ranked sophomores in Ohio, hit two of her three 3s in the first quarter on the way to finishing with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Senior Israelle Smith matched her with a trio of 3s —one in the first, two in the second — ultimately ending with a game-high 23 points and four rebounds.
“We decided to sit in the zone that first half, and live and die by the 3,” Holt said. “And they came out and hit the 3, that was the difference in the game. I think if we would have adjusted or if they didn’t hit a couple of 3s, we would’ve been right in the game.
“But I’m proud of the fight my kids had.”
Despite trailing by double figures almost the entirety of the night, the game never felt out of reach for the Arrows who managed to always stay close albeit unable to get over the hump.
“We knew how good they were, well-coached with several good players — we knew they would be a handful considering they were a higher division than us,” Dennis said. “It was a great tournament prep game, and we needed this from a discipline standpoint; defensively, offensively, and effort.
“It’s a good measuring stick.”
This is a Harvest Prep team with 15 wins and two losses — at Division III Warrensville Heights by three points and against a Circleville team ranked No. 4 in Division IV also by three points — both of which coming in the last two weeks.
Gearing up for a long tournament run, this was exactly the type of game Dennis wanted his girls to play late in the regular season. Unfortunately, it came at the cost of senior Monae Gamble who suffered a serious knee injury just seconds into the second half vying for a loose ball in the corner.
And it’s the same for Holt and the Arrows who had only truly been tested a handful of times this season in a five-point win over Dalton in the opener, the one-point loss to Waynedale, and a five-point win at New Philly.
“That was one of the better teams we’ve faced,” she said. “This was just a great game before tournaments, I think it’ll really set up us for the long run.”
Senior Camryn Cox continued her stellar play since the season-ending injury to classmate Madison Hoffman in mid-January leading the Arrows with 21 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
“She had a slight knee injury there which was a hiccup, but I think her head’s back in the game and her body is feeling good just in time,” Holt said.
Junior Kennedy Lacey added 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals while being tasked with guarding Carter most of the night, one of her toughest challenges to date.
“And I think she learned a lot,” Holt said. “Sometimes she got sped up, but other times she went right at them and made that counter move, and she was able to finish. She’s getting there and she’s growing — that’s the cool thing — she’s growing every day.”
Ashland closes out the regular season with a Valentine’s Day trip to Dresden against Tri-Valley before opening the postseason as the top-seed on the 19th at home against No. 6 Sandusky. A win against the Blue Streaks would see the Arrows face the same team they beat in the district championship a year ago.
“Norwalk came right at us, so hopefully we get another district semifinal rematch,” Holt said.
zholden@gannett.com | 419-617-6018 | Twitter/X: @Zachary_Holden
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Harvest Prep hands Ashland girls second loss in tournament primer
Reporting by Zachary Holden, Ashland Times-Gazette / Ashland Times Gazette
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