Five Takeaways: Benton Central vs. Lafayette Jefferson

Benton Central got out to a fast start behind the tough play of junior <strong>Audrey Strawsma</strong> as she pulled down six rebounds in the first 5:32 of play. They led 12-0, but Lafayette Jefferson battled back and cut that lead down to 17-13 at the end of the first quarter. Lafayette Jefferson did take a lead early in the second quarter 18-17, but Benton Central ended up regaining the lead by two at the half. Benton Central used a big third quarter, one where they outscored Lafayette Jefferson 20-14, to propel themselves to a win, 59-56. <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt">Emma Fisher will be a productive small college player</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">The most productive player in the game was the Benton Central senior leader. Her shot wasn't falling much in the game but she really controlled her play well. Fisher was doing so many different things in the game that she really popped out to me. Tough rebounds, crisp passes, defense, you name it and she was doing it well. She never really slowed down either as she was always looking to make a play for teammates. Fisher is on a lot of small college radars and wherever she ends up she will be a very solid four year player. </span> <span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>Lafayette Jefferson is led by a freshman</strong> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt">I had heard a lot of talk about <strong>Teresa Maggio </strong>coming into this game as she is a really productive freshman. Early in the game she tried to do a little too much and that forced her into taking some bad shots at the rim. I was most impressed with her defense as her on ball defending was top notch on the Benton Central guards. She sees the floor very well and as she gains strength she will become a lot more versatile on the offensive end. She is smart with the ball and the handles are pretty good at this point but she didn't look to score much in this one.</span> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt">Audrey Strawsma might be the most productive rebounder I've seen</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt"> </span>Strawsma just hogged the boards in this one and was really, really good on the offensive glass. She scored four times off of the rebound on the offensive end and ended the night with 10 rebounds. She was in foul trouble most of the night and fouled out with just under five minutes to go in the game. She was very effective on the boards and just really gave Lafayette Jefferson fits in that aspect of the game. <span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>Benton Central's matchup 2-3 zone did not work well</strong> </span>Lafayette Jefferson really wasn't phased by the zone that Benton Central ran. <strong>Kiara Lewis</strong> was able to get position on the inside and really do whatever she wanted since no one was able to match her strength. Lewis was much more effective in the second half once she moved into the inside. Lafayette Jefferson also shot the ball well enough from the outside to keep Benton Central from sucking in and taking away the inside game. <span style="font-size: 14pt"><strong>Lafayette Jefferson will be even better next year</strong> </span>Lafayette Jefferson only has two seniors on the roster and their key players, in this game at least, will all be returning next year. Maggio, Lewis, and junior <strong>Ashlynn McTaggertt </strong>will all come back next year and be a key nucleus for this team. This is a team that is solid this year but could be much better next year.