The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
In the past week the Lady Thunder competed in the Bi-County Tournament and did extremely well. The Thunder opened play at La Harpe against co-op team, the Roseville/Yorkwood Bearcats.
Earlier in the season the Bearcats beat the Thunder by two on a last second shot. The Thunder had revenge on their mind and revenge they would get.
Paced by the trio from Northwestern, Tammy DeCounter, Mel Yeast, and Ashley Yeast, the Thunder jumped on top after the first quarter 15-7 and never looked back. The trio scored 13 of the 15 first quarter points.
Second half, the Duo from La Harpe, Brooke Campbell and Amber Pence, would account for 21 of the 31 Thunder points and defeat the Bearcats 56-37.
On the defensive side for the Lady Thunder, it was an excellent team effort. Brooke Campbell, Tammy DeCounter, Amber Pence, Kelly Blythe, and April Gittings played tough man to man defense on the Bearcats outside threats and held them to six and eleven points respectively.
Leading the Thunder on offense was Amber Pence with 13 points, Brooke Campbell with 12 points, Ashley Yeast with a double-double, 12 points and 13 rebounds, Mel Yeast with 7 points and 7 steals, Tammy DeCounter with 6 points, and Jessie Rodeffer, Sarah Dihle, and Marcy Wood with two points each.
The Thunders next opponent in the tournament was the Southern Belles. The Belles hung tough but only managed to score one field goal in the fourth quarter losing 53-38. The Thunder grabbed a 17-10 lead after the first quarter as Amber Pence tossed in 7 points.
In the second quarter Southern cut into the Thunder lead and pulled with in 4 points at half time.
Amber Pence tossed in 7 more in the third quarter as the Thunder extended their lead 37-31.
Fourth quarter the Lady Thunder put the game away outscoring Southern 16-7. Leading the way was Amber Pence with 18 points, Ashley Yeast with 14 points and a team high 8 rebounds, Brooke Campbell with 6 points, Mel Yeast finished with 5 points and 5 steals, Jessie Rodeffer with 4 points, Tammy DeCounterÐ3 points, Sarah DihleÐ2 points, and April Gittings finished with 1 point.
After Defeating Southern the Thunder moved to the Championship against the Valley Vikings on Friday.
Thunder began the game slowly as the Vikings lit up the nets. Late in the second quarter Thunder found themselves down 19 points. However, the Thunder would not quit.
Sparked by April Gittings off the bench, the Thunder began their comeback.
The Thunder closed out the second quarter strong and found their 19 point margin narrowed to 6 points.
Thunder continued their strong attack in the third quarter finishing a 19-0 run and found themselves deadlocked after three quarters, 49-49.
Brooke Campbell came out hot leading Thunder with 8 points in the third quarter.
Much like the Southern game, Thunder played strong defense and would only allow 1 field goal in the fourth quarter. They finished the quarter outscoring Valley 16-7 to capture the championship title with a score of 65-56.
Thunder demonstrated discipline, pride, heart, and a never give-up attitude, by overcoming a 19 point deficit. It was a game that would make anyone and everyone involved proud of our Thunder Ladies.
Leading the way in scoring was Thunder's Amber Pence with 17 points, Ashley Yeast with 13 points, Mel Yeast with 12 points, Brooke Campbell with 12 points (all in the second half), April Gittings with 9 points, and Tammy DeCounter finished with 2 points.