By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Mount Vernon looks to slow down No. 1-ranked Hermann and its fast-break attack in a Class 3 girls quarterfinal game today at noon at the Hammons Student Center in Springfield.
“They are really potent on offense, like to fast break,” Mountaineers head coach Doug Hepler said. “They like to get after you with man-to-man or a 1-2-2- trap. Overall it’s a pretty good team that’s played a pretty good schedule, a team we definitely have to play good against.”
Shelby Winkelmann, a 5-foot-9 guard, averages 28 points per game to ignite the Hermann attack.
“She’s really quick and attacks the basket,” Hepler said. “She gets a lot of points on the fast break. She’ll play the point a little bit ... she does a little of everything.”
Ashley Brooks and Lacey Lackman average about 10 points per game for Hermann (26-3), which defeated Ava 56-47 in its sectional game on Wednesday night.
The Mountaineers (27-3) are coming off a strong defensive effort in Wednesday night’s 54-34 victory over Springfield Catholic.
“Catholic had scored 69 points against us the last time,” Hepler said. “This time to hold them to 34, it’s a really good job on our part defensively.”
Danielle Goodman and Kenzie Williams tallied 18 and 17 points, respectively, for Mount Vernon, and Tamiaya Henderson also reached double figures with 13.
“We need to share the ball and continue to look for the girl who has the hot hand,” Hepler said. “We have to be patient with our shot, but at the same time stay aggressive, attack them and make them play some defense.
“Defensively we have to slow down their fast break, make them run some offense and keep them out of the paint as much as we can. I believe our schedule has been pretty tough, and that’s helped prepare us for this game.”
