GIRLS BASKETBALL: Keith sets PCHS rebounding record in win over A-J

Following a slow, dreadful first half for both teams that saw Anna-Jonesboro go into the break with an 8-6 lead, Pinckneyville found a little more offense than the Lady Wildcats in the second half for a 33-29 victory. PCHS's Sophie Keith made history in the game, breaking the school's career rebounding record previously held by Leslie Phillips.

The Lady Panthers had more points in the third quarter than they did in the other three periods combined.

"When we're playing aggressively, whether it's offense, defense or whatever, it all translates and we play so much better," said Pinckneyville head coach Alan Engelhardt. "That first half was in slow-motion, we were dragging. I don't know what it was, but it was not played at our pace, not played at our level of aggressiveness. We shot three after three instead of attacking the rim and attacking in the middle. We did so much better at that in the second half, and now you can set up your press after you score and get some easier buckets that way."

The two teams were locked in a defensive battle with A-J up 13-9 with three minutes left in the third quarter when the Lady Panthers' offense came roaring to life. Andrea Morgan made a three-pointer to kick-start an 11-0 run for PCHS during which their full-court press gave the Lady Wildcats fits.

"That's the key, you've got to score to get it set up," Engelhardt said. "I thought that we did a nice job of trapping that first pass. I thought especially Taylor Smith did a real nice job of sliding in and trapping the second pass and getting some steals."

Mayci Doerflein finished off the run with a bucket, then finished off the period with a three-point play less than a minute later. Doerflein scored 9 points in a row for Pinckneyville at the end of the third period and finished with 19 for the game.

"We kind of go how she goes," said Engelhardt. "When she's playing well, we start scoring baskets because she's got that aggressive mindset, she's getting to the rim. The kids did a nice job finding her. Raygan (Yates), two or three times, penetrated the middle and kicked out to her for a corner jump shot."

The Lady Panthers' lead got as big as 13 at 31-18 in the fourth quarter before A-J made a late charge, but even two threes in the final minute couldn't fully erase the deficit.

Keith grabbed an offensive rebound with 5:40 to go in the third quarter for the record-breaker, number 673 for her Pinckneyville career.

"It's a tremendous accomplishment," said Engelhardt. "It's nice to see Sophie rewarded for all her hard work."

Engelhardt said, like NBA Hall-of-Famer Dennis Rodman, Keith possess the three qualities of a great rebounder.

"Number one is intelligence, because she knows where the ball is coming off," said Engelhardt. "As soon as the ball is shot, she is smart enough to say 'it's going there, I'm going to go get it.' Number two is competitiveness where she feels like every rebound is hers and she's going to go get it. Number three is athleticism. Being such a good athlete she just goes and gets the ball."

Yates scored 6 points for Pinckneyville, Morgan had 3 and Mariah Clark had 2. Lexa Sharp and Angel Helm shared the team lead in points for Anna-Jonesboro with 6 apiece.

The Lady Panthers (9-2, 3-0) host Okawville on Saturday with the junior varsity tip set for 1:00 p.m.