Hammond sets tone with 43

Josh Hickle, PDT Sports Writer
MINFORD — Throwing multiple bodies at her, Minford kept Oak Hill’s Alyssa Hammond to 15 first-half points.
The second half would be a different story. The Lady Oaks’ senior nearly doubled that total, scoring 28, over the final two quarters, finishing the game with 43 points to lead Oak Hill to a 76-51 victory against the host Falcons.
Hammond rarely missed from the field in the second half, including connecting on three 3-pointers.
“ I knew that we weren’t up by a whole lot at half, and I knew that everyone’s morale needed to get going,” said Hammond, who also had nine rebounds. “I had to concentrate and score, because that is what my team needed me to do, and I was able to come through with a lot of points in the second half.”
The game started out slow for both teams, but Oak Hill moved out to a 14-5 lead at the end of one. That lead would increase slightly at the end of the first half, with the Lady Oaks holding an 11-point lead at the end of two quarters.
Minford cut the lead to seven at 29-22 to begin the third quarter on the strength of two quick baskets. Oak Hill answered the charge with one of its own, outscoring the Lady Falcons 11-2 to put the lead back into double-digits. Minford would not get any closer the rest of the way.
While Hammond handled most of the offensive output, the rest of the Lady Oaks made sure the game was out of reach. Annah Ruff had nine points, six rebounds and four assists, and the trio of Keisa Davis, Kayla Moore and Lacey Adkins scored seven each.
Davis set up a majority of those scoring opportunities, dishing out 14 assists. Coach Sarah Carstens also lauded the play of Ashley Malone, who, while she didn’t score, grabbed six rebounds.
“ Ashley had a great game and I was really proud of the way she played tonight,” said Carstens. “She took care of the ball and did what she was supposed to do. Lacey has also stepped in a similar way and done what I have asked of her.”
For Minford, Kara Cayton and Katie Donahoe once again led the team in scoring, pouring in 13 and 12 respectively. Much like Hammond, Cayton found herself the target of a pressing Oak Hill defense, trying to keep her from knocking down 3-pointers.
“ We knew that they were going to focus in on Kara, and who wouldn’t?” said Lady Falcons coach Kim Conley. “We definitely played hard, but when you have a point guard like Keisa Davis, and she gets the ball where it needs to be, it’s going to be a tough game.”
With the win, the Lady Oaks improve to 16-0 on the season, 11-0 in conference play. Another win will clinch a share of the league title. Minford falls to 12-3, 8-3 in SOC II.

Oak Hill 14 15 30 17 — 76
Minford 5 13 16 17 — 51
Oak Hill — Hammond 16 6 43, Ruff 4 1 9, K. Moore 2 3 7, Adkins 3 1 7, Davis 2 3 7, Midkiff 2 0 4. Totals 29 14 76.
Minford — Cayton 4 2 13, K. Donahoe 3 6 12, Martin 4 1 9, Timmons 2 0 5, Roberts 2 1 5, James 1 2 4, M. Donahoe 0 2 2, Brigner 0 1 1. Totals 16 13 51.
3-pointers — Oak Hill 5 (Hammond 5), Minford 4 (Cayton 3, Timmons).
Record — Oak Hill 16-0 (11-0), Minford 12-3 (8-3).